Despite 4-game losing skid, Kansas coach Lance Leipold says no major changes coming

Kansas football has lost four straight games, but coach Lance Leipold remains committed to staying the course.

That much was clear from a back-and-forth Leipold had with a reporter at his weekly news conference.

When asked if he was “at the point where (he’s) open to big, impactful, major changes,” Leipold first responded, “I don’t know what you mean by that,” and then threw his arms up in confusion.

The reporter clarified: changes to personnel, style or something else.

Leipold shook his head and said: “We’re still moving forward in the areas that we believe in and got us to this point. I believe in what we do and what got us here. I know what we have to do to improve those (things) on a daily basis. As I’ve said before, it’s frustrating and disappointing to many. It’s correctable.”

The mood of the entire news conference could certainly be described as tense. It lasted seven minutes — one of the shortest of the season.

It’s not a complete surprise, as Leipold is in somewhat unfamiliar territory. Of the Jayhawks’ (1-4, 0-2 Big 12) last four losses, three have been one-score games.

“I don’t think I have had a (season) like this, to be honest,” Leipold said. “In a lot of different ways, it’s been a unique season, but we’ve got a lot to play yet.”

Perhaps the biggest difference between KU last season and in 2024 has been on the offensive end.

Former KU offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki departed for Penn State and was replaced by Jeff Grimes, who had been fired at Baylor. The Jayhawks also lost O-line coach Scott Fuchs to the NFL’s Tennessee Titans.

Another change has been in the level of quarterback play. Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels has struggled this season. He’s yet to pass for over 200 yards and has 10 turnovers in five games. Jason Bean started most of the last season with Daniels dealing with a back injury.

Leipold said he believes KU’s offense isn’t that much worse than last season’s.

“Statistically, we are not that far off,” he said. “Last year at this time, we averaged 6.9 yards per play, now we are averaging six. Right now, the turnovers have hurt us. I don’t think the turnover late in the game (vs. TCU) was the issue. There are some execution issues … of consistency.

“We addressed a lot of those things with our guys today about areas of improvement. We will continue to work at it.”

While Leipold cited the Jayhawks’ yards-per-play number, several of the offensive numbers have seen a major decline (numbers via Sports-Reference):

Kansas has been held below 30 points in every FBS game in 2024 after scoring 30-plus in three straight FBS games to open last season, as well as in six of its first seven 2023 FBS contests.

The Jayhawks will look to get back in the win column against Arizona State in Tempe, Arizona, on Saturday.