Behind Enemy Lines: How Do Kansas Fans Feel About Turner Gill?

In this morning’s Mizzou news on the Zoulogy homepage, staff writer Hank Koebler included a story from the Topeka Capital-Journal that focused on Kansas head coach Turner Gill. Writer Kevin Haskin was very critical of the coach that has won just one conference game in his two years at the helm of the Jayhawks, and stated that he lacks the motivational skills to turn around the program.

"Not much is left to play for … except permanent residency for the Indian War Drum; a victory in the last renewal of the Border War; and a chance, however slight, for Turner Gill to build support.All are rather important matters. Yet Gill chooses to ignore them.Armed with all kinds of issues to motivate a team that was completely uninspired last week at Texas A&M, Gill delivered the party line Monday during the Big 12 coaches teleconference.For the umpteenth time he spoke of the need to execute better, though a nine-game losing streak is proof the Jayhawks failed to execute most of the season."

Clearly, Haskin represents the KU fans who want to be able to have something else to talk about besides their basketball team. They have every right to be frustrated with the efforts of Gill to turn around the program, and for good reason.

The biggest key to success in any sport as a coach is the ability to make adjustments over time. Gill has stressed execution and focus time and time again, but the results simply haven’t been there for his team. So in the last game of the season for the Jayhawks, and possibly the last game vs. the Tigers for the foreseeable future, why not mix things up? Is there really anything to lose in a game where you are 22.5 point underdogs?

It is probably ridiculous to think that Kansas fans actually expect a victory Saturday. Instead, they are hoping for the Jayhawks to not just go through the motions like they have been all year and instead try something new. In a game that has been given so much additional importance, it will be interesting to see what adjustments Gill will make, or if any at all.