A Make-or-Break Year for Kansas
Big 12 media days are set to begin next week, and the Kansas Jayhawks will be represented by head coach Lance Leipold along with five of their players. The preseason spotlight comes as the program looks to rebound from back‑to‑back 5‑7 seasons and to finally break a two‑year bowl drought.
Three storylines dominate the conversation: the battle for the starting quarterback spot, the return of offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, and the team’s ability to translate offseason optimism into on‑field wins. Each question carries weight for a program that has invested heavily in facilities and coaching staff.
At the heart of the quarterback race are returnees Cole Ballard and Isaiah Marshall, with Rice transfer Chase Jenkins also in the mix. Ballard is currently viewed as the frontrunner, but his lead over Marshall remains narrow, while Jenkins impressed coaches during the latter half of spring practice after recovering from injury.
Kotelnicki’s second stint as offensive coordinator brings a sense of continuity that was missing after his departure. During his earlier tenure from 2021 to 2023 he helped the Jayhawks climb to 5‑7 records and showed the ability to unlock a more balanced attack. His comeback will be tested by a roster that has seen significant turnover and by the need to adapt to new personnel such as transfer running back Dylan Edwards.
The coaching staff hopes that the addition of Edwards, a dynamic back who spent last season at Georgia, will provide a spark in the ground game and allow the offense to diversify its play‑calling. If the quarterback competition resolves favorably and the offense clicks, Kansas could position itself for a bowl invitation and perhaps even a conference championship.
Beyond the field, Coach Leipold will earn $6.3 million this season, plus a $500,000 retention bonus, underscoring the university’s commitment to reversing the program’s recent slump. The financial stakes reflect the broader pressure on the team to deliver tangible results and restore fan confidence.