It’s the storyline everyone is thinking about, but it’s the one ISU offensive coordinator Mark Mangino is least concerned about. 

Mangino was the head coach at Kansas from 2002 to 2009 and guided the program to national prominence in 2007 by going 12-1 and winning the 2008 Orange Bowl against Virginia Tech. That Kansas team was also ranked No. 2 in the nation at one point — the highest ranking in school history — and Mangino was crowned the Coach of the Year in 2007.

Mangino left in 2009 and after a brief stint as the assistant head coach at Youngstown State, Mangino joined on as Iowa State’s offensive coordinator. For the first time since 2009, Mangino will once again roam the sideline at Kansas’ Memorial Stadium, just on a different side than he’s used to, and he’s more than happy with that. 

“I had a great time there, I enjoyed my time coaching there, I met a lot of nice people, coached some great players, some incredibly great kids but that doesn’t have anything to do with [now],” Mangino said. “I’m at Iowa State, we’re a team right now that needs to get on track, get a win and all of my energy and focus is on preparation for the game.”

Mangino said some of his best memories come from former players and the assistants that worked on his staff — some of whom he is still in contact.

“Some of the teams we had at Kansas weren’t always the most talented, but those kids played their tails off and they gave their best everyday and that’s all you can ask as a coach is for a player to give his best everyday,” Mangino said. 

Since Mangino’s departure, Kansas has hired and fired several coaches. His first replacement was Turner Gill, who initially replaced Mangino and was let go after two years and a 5-24 record. Then came Charlie Weiss, a highly touted play caller who worked under Bill Belichik as offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots, and later as head coach of Notre Dame. Weiss was fired from Kansas’ head coaching position in September after a 6-22 record over three years.

Acting as interim head coach for Kansas is defensive coordinator Clint Bowen. ISU defensive coordinator, Wally Burnham, said he has seen some subtle changes in Kansas since Bowen took over on short notice. 

“It hasn’t changed that much, but it’s the small things that are there that we have to prepare for now that we didn’t think we would have to prepare for,” Burnham said. “Not a big change, but some little things.” 

While Kansas’ defense hasn’t changed much, Mangino will certainly be looking for more out of his ISU offense. They have been engaged at practice and are “embarrassed and angry” after a lack-lust showing against Oklahoma. ISU quarterback Sam Richardson agreed with Mangino’s sentiment. 

“Naturally when you lose like that, you feel embarrassed, especially in Division I sports,” Richardson said. “We’re all out here for a reason and getting beaten like that, it’s happened a few too many times this year.”