Lance Leipold defends Kansas OC Jeff Grimes amid 1-2 start: ‘You win and lose together’

Lance Leipold isn’t ready to blame anyone but himself for KU football’s disappointing start to the season.

The head coach shouldered the blame after KU’s loss to UNLV on Friday at Children’s Mercy Park. He repeated that same mantra on Monday.

“You’re not going to put this on one guy by any stretch,” Leipold said. “Whether its two people or three people — I said if anyone is going to put it on one person, put it on me.”

The Jayhawks’ offense struggled on Friday, particularly after Kansas QB Jalon Daniels threw an interception that led to a UNLV touchdown before the half. Daniels finished 12-of-24 passing for 153 yards with two rushing touchdowns and two interceptions.

“Right now, I guess the biggest thing is, on offense … we have not responded well when something hasn’t gone right,” Leipold said. “Whether it be a turnover, a three-and-out, we’re not responding off of that as an offense, as a football team.”

That’s been a common theme for the Jayhawks (1-2) since KU’s game against Illinois. KU’s offense has looked frazzled with Daniels throwing five interceptions over the last two games.

“Is that a play-call? Is that a player? It’s a little bit of everything,” Leipold said. “You’re looking for one answer or two answers in this, and I can’t give you that. I wish it (was) always that easy. But it’s not, and that’s why you win and lose as a team, and we have to continue to get better in a lot of different ways.”

One common point of discussion among KU fans — outside of Daniels’ play — has been the change in offensive coordinator from Andy Kotelnicki (now at Penn State) to Jeff Grimes.

The Jayhawks have scored just 37 points total between their last two games. They’re averaging 28.3 points through three nonconference games, including their FCS opener (48 points), after averaging 37.7 points last year and 46.3 points in 2022 in nonconference action.

Leipold was asked about any growing pains from the offensive coordinator transition, to which he highlighted KU’s first-half performance that included a pair of rushing scores from Daniels.

“I understand the offensive coordinator, besides the head coach, is the most scrutinized position on a coaching staff in college football or football in general today,” he said. “It’s what we both sign up for. But at the same time, nobody’s asked a question about our new offensive line coach (Daryl Agpalsa). That hasn’t been asked yet.”

Leipold even deflected some blame onto KU’s defense, which allowed a touchdown drive that lasted over nine minutes in the fourth quarter on Friday.

“We spend all the time talking about play-calling and stuff like that,” Leipold said. “You win and lose together.”

As for Daniels? Leipold continues to support his struggling quarterback.

Daniels has thrown for 498 yards with three touchdowns and six interceptions so far this season. He also has two rushing scores and a lost fumble.

“Jalon has been outstanding with attitude, coachability and all those things,” Leipold said. “There’s some good things out there. There are moments.”