On December 4, 2001, University of Oklahoma offensive coordinator Mark Mangino—whose experience includes work as recruiting coordinator, running-game coordinator, and assistant head coach at Kansas State University—was hired by Athletics Director Al Bohl to rebuild a successful football program.[1] In six years, the Jayhawks have achieved increasing success as they were bowl eligible four times and in 2005 won their first bowl since 1995. However, in his first five seasons, they failed to finish any higher than fourth place in their division or to win more than three conference games in any season; they were 11-29 in conference play and only 1-14 versus Big 12 South opponents.