Mike Leach and Mark Mangino: Could They Coach Together?

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Mike Leach and Mark Mangino: Could They Coach Together?
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To start off, I would like to say "no". The chances of something like this happening are right up there with none. 

First of all, I'm hearing around that former Kansas head football coach Mark Mangino is probably ready to retire.

Second of all, it would cost any college a fortune to have two such men on a single coaching staff.

However, just the thought of Mike Leach and Mangino coaching from the same sidelines is beyond intriguing.

Picture this (just for fun)...

Leach and Mangino take the year off. Mangino gets in shape, and they both regularly attend some anger management classes or something that looks good on their now-tarnished records.

Perhaps Colorado is horrendous once more, Dan Hawkins gets the boot, and somehow the University escapes with minimal financial damage. (Please note: I have nothing against Colorado or Dan Hawkins, and know very few specifics about their actual situation. In no way am I making a prediction. I am simply inventing a situation for the fun of the article.)

Leach and Mangino have always been good friends, stuck up for each other, and respected each other. Leach publicly kept to Mangino's back during Kansas' time of crisis, and I expect the big fella to firmly stand behind the former Red Raider in return.

They keep up their relationship, both are in speculation for the now "open" Buffalo job, and decide to work together (probably for less dough than they would ask otherwise).

Mike Leach could be the head coach and Mark Mangino could be the offensive coordinator.  Colorado immediately becomes one of the most dangerous teams, offensively, in the entire nation.

Just picture the shotgun, for a moment, and try to visualize how unstoppable it would be with an endless number of decently athletic receivers, a few runningbacks with good hands, a smart quarterback who knows how to work in a system, and an uber-intelligent offensive line.

Never before would the college ranks have seen the beautiful timing, mega-precise route-running, and a perfectly orchestrated air attack as these two could bring together.

Don't forget that Leach and Mangino are among the greats when it comes to star-for-star recruiting. Neither reels in big names regularly, but both know how to find the guys they want.

Plus in Colorado, football is king. You have to figure that with good support from the university, two names as big as Mangino and Leach in a state like Colorado could land some big names too.

Sure defense would still be an issue. Both Kansas and Texas Tech have shown glimpses of defensive decency here and there, but both of these men always have been and will be offensive-minded guys.

However, with an offense as open and innovative as the monster Leach and Mangino could create, a whole lot of defense wouldn't exactly be necessary.

Once again, I realize that such a thing could never happen. It's just a very entertaining thought.

One thing I do look forward to actually happening is how Mangino reacts to Leach's situation. It will be interesting to see if he publicly supports Leach and what kind of advice he has to offer.

In the meantime, Texas Tech fans, I hope everything works out for you. As a Jayhawk, I know exactly how you feel.

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