From: maryb@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college
Subject: Jayhawk Posting #14
Date: 26 Sep 92 04:23:08 CDT
Organization: University of Kansas Academic Computing Services

From the front page of the Friday, September 25, 1992 issue of the
University Daily Kansan.

ANNOUNCER REMEMBERS DAYS AT KU
by David Dorsey, Kansan sportswriter

   The Kansas Jayhawks may be down, but don't count them out, said Mike
Gottfried, the color analyst who covered last night's game for ESPN. Gott-
fried, who coached the Jayhawks from 1983 to 1985, said the Jayhawks should
continue to improve under Kansas coach Glen Mason. "Kansas was on the verge
of winning this game," Gottfried said after California defeated Kansas
27-23. "They could have won if they had gotten a couple of executions
right."
   "Let's put it this way. Big ball games will prepare them for the next
big game they have, and they're going to be in one quick. This game will
help them down the line." Gottfried praised what Mason had done with the
Kansas football program. The Jayhawks record was 1-10 in Mason's first
season. The Jayhawks were 6-5 last season and were on the verge of a bowl
game. "I think he's doing a great job of coaching and recruiting," Gott-
fried said. "He's getting the caliber of kids he needs, and I'm very
impressed with the football players. They are all not just good players,
but they're great people.
   Gottfried said that although Kansas had suffered its first loss, the
Jayhawks still had a lot of potential. "I think this team could win seven
or eight games this year," he said. "I think California fooled everybody.
That was definitely not the real California against Purdue."
   Purdue defeated California two weeks ago, 41-14.
   For Gottfried, working the Kansas-California game was a homecoming of
sorts. Gottfried said he had not been able to spend time in Lawrence since
he had quit coaching here. Although Gottfried's coaching record at Kansas
is 15-18-1, he helped rebuild the program. The last time the Jayhawks
defeated a team ranked in the Associated Press Top 20 was under Gottfried
in 1984 when Kansas defeated Oklahoma 28-11.
   Gottfried said he left Kansas for the head coaching job at Pittsburgh in
1985 because it was close to his home in Ohio. The year after he left
Kansas, the Jayhawks returned to their losing ways. The 'Hawks went 3-8 and
1-9-1 under Bob Valesente and then 1-10 during Mason's first year.
   The team went 6-5 last season, which allows for comparisons between the
abilities of Mason and Gottfried to rebuild losing programs. But Gottfried
said he would not compare himself with Mason. "I don't think it's right to
compare us," Gottfried said. "But I will tell you I think it's great what
he has done here."
   Gottfried compiled a 26-17-2 record at Pittsburgh but was fired in 1989.
He was quickly called by ESPN. The network needed another color analyst
because it was expanding its college football broadcasts. Gottfried, who
works this season's Thursday and Saturday night college football games has
been with the network for three years. "They gave me a call and an audi-
tion, and then they took a chance on me," he said. "I really enjoy it, but
I do miss the player relationships I had when I was coaching."
   Returning to Lawrence on Tuesday was fun for Gottfried, but it hindered
his preparation for the game. "I usually spend from the time I get in town
until the time the game starts preparing," Gottfried said. "This game was a
little harder for me to prepare for and I fell a little bit behind just
because there were so many people in town that called me, and so many old
friends that I saw."
   Mike Patrick, who did the play-by-play in last night's game, had nothing
but praise for his broadcast partner. "He is so easy to work with," Patrick
said after the game. "I don't think I could ever work with anybody who
could do more for you and make it more easier. [sic] He does a hell of a
job. Everywhere we go people are giving him compliments, and he certainly
deserves them. He's really sharp."

Posted to r.s.f.c. by "Kansas Mary"