Lance Leipold has accomplished what no Kansas football coach has managed in nearly two decades: making the Jayhawks matter in August. When the 2026 Big 12 preseason poll dropped in July, Kansas landed at No. 3 - their highest placement under Leipold and a program best since the Mark Mangino glory days. Four first-place votes came from media members who clearly believe this isn't the same old Kansas.
The numbers back up the hype. Leipold inked a massive 8-year, $76 million extension last September that runs through 2032, locking him in as one of the top 15 highest-paid coaches in college football. He's earned every penny. After going 31 - 25 overall and 20 - 17 in Big 12 play through five seasons, Kansas head coach Lance Leipold dragged the program from the laughingstock of the Power Five to a legitimate conference contender.
The 2025 campaign delivered the goods: an 8 - 5 record, a 5 - 4 mark in Big 12 play, and a gritty 24 - 21 Rate Bowl win over Texas Tech on Dec. 29. That victory sealed Kansas' third consecutive bowl appearance - a first in program history. The Jayhawks aren't just showing up to bowl games anymore; they're winning them.
The 2026 team carries expectations that would've seemed delusional just a few years ago. Vegas has Kansas' win total at 7.5, the highest of Leipold's tenure. On Aug. 29, the Jayhawks open against Missouri in a sold-out Legends Trophy showdown - tickets vanished within 90 minutes of release. Kansas head coach Lance Leipold is 2 - 1 against the Tigers, and this rivalry game now carries genuine stakes for both programs.
| Season | Overall Record | Big 12 Record | Bowl Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 - 10 | 1 - 8 | None |
| 2022 | 6 - 7 | 3 - 6 | Liberty Bowl (L) |
| 2023 | 5 - 7 | 3 - 6 | None |
| 2024 | 9 - 4 | 5 - 4 | Guaranteed Rate Bowl (W) |
| 2025 | 8 - 5 | 5 - 4 | Rate Bowl (W) |
| Total | 31 - 25 | 20 - 17 | 3 straight appearances |
📊 No. 3 in Big 12 preseason poll - Kansas' highest placement under Leipold and a program best since 2009, with four first-place votes from media members.
The Daniels Factor: A Seventh-Year Quarterback's Legacy Run
The single biggest reason for Kansas' sky-high ceiling? Jalon Daniels is back for one more ride. The super-senior quarterback announced his return for a seventh season on Jan. 12, 2026, using his medical redshirt year. Through 2025, Daniels has piled up 6,847 career passing yards, 48 touchdowns, and just 19 interceptions under Leipold's guidance.
Daniels isn't just a stat-sheet filler. He's the heartbeat of this program, the guy who chose to stay when lesser players would've bolted for the transfer portal. His chemistry with Leipold's system - and his ability to make off-schedule plays when the pocket collapses - gives Kansas a weapon few Big 12 defenses can counter.
The supporting cast isn't bad either. Leipold signed the No. 18 recruiting class nationally in February, the program's best haul since 2005. Headliners include 4-star quarterback Cole Werth from Olathe, Kansas, and 4-star offensive tackle Marcus Bell. These aren't projects - they're ready-to-contribute pieces that suggest the Leipold blueprint is sustainable, not a flash in the pan.
The Kotelnicki Hire: Offensive Evolution or Risk?
June brought the biggest coaching shake-up of Leipold's tenure. He poached Andy Kotelnicki from Penn State, handing him a 3-year, $3.9 million deal to become offensive coordinator. Kotelnicki replaces Jeff Grimes, who bolted for the same role at Oklahoma.
The hire raises eyebrows in some corners. Kotelnicki's Penn State offenses were solid but rarely spectacular, and he's stepping into a situation where the quarterback position is established but the scheme needs refreshment. Kansas head coach Lance Leipold clearly believes Kotelnicki can elevate an offense that ranked middle-of-the-pack in the Big 12 last season.
