LAWRENCE — There will be no shortage of topics to talk about this year as Kansas State football continues to make strides in spring ball competition.
The Jayhawks have several new assistant coaches on staff as they adjust to what head coach Lance Leipold has installed in Lawrence. Many veterans return from last year's Guaranteed Rate Bowl championship roster, but some newcomers are getting a taste of what it's like to play at Kansas. That's not the only thing going on with the Jayhawks.
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Here are some more takeaways from KU's spring practice this year.
Jeff Grimes likens Matt Gildersleeve to a 'new-age strength coach'
This will be Jeff Grimes' first spring as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Kansas, which means he will get a chance to see first-hand how Matt Gildersleeve works with his players. Gildersleeve, the Jayhawks' director of athletic performance, is someone who has always sought out advantages to better prepare the program's players. And Grimes said he liked what he saw from the beginning of Gildersleeve's eight-week offseason program.
Grimes noted that in some ways, Gildersleeve is like a “new-age strength coach.” It's not because of Gildersleeve's age, it's because of Gildersleeve's approach. Grimes pointed out that people who don't evolve over time in the profession usually don't last long in the job.
“I really like (Gildersleeve's) approach,” Grimes told reporters early in spring ball in March. “He's really smart. The players really like him and respect him. And he does some things that I think are really, really good. And the things that are often overlooked are: I mean he's not only making players bigger, faster and stronger, he's really building our culture and building the mindset of our team. And I've talked to a number of players. But he said, “It was really (Gildersleeve) who helped me get through that difficult time.” ”
Jereme Robinson updates on recovery progress
Coach Leipold announced in early April that senior defensive end Jerem Robinson was not practicing due to surgery in preparation for the 2023 season. But Robinson, who could be one of Kansas' top pass rushers in 2024, seemed in good spirits as he updated on his own status. He is in good shape and is still figuring out how to grow bigger, stronger and faster, he said.
“I'm mainly training,” Robinson said. “I'm training, I'm just trying to get really strong. And coaching, that's my biggest role right now.”
Nevada hires Kansas analyst Matt Rubik as offensive coordinator
The University of Nevada announced the hiring of Matt Rubik as the school's new offensive coordinator, meaning Kansas will be without a senior offensive analyst. But while Leipold said his heart is torn by Rubik's departure from the Jayhawks program, he also said he is happy for Rubik. Rubik is not only admired by Leipold as a great football mind and a great human being, but he has also battled leukemia.
“It was really amazing to see (Rubik) continue to jump on the phone and do things and continue to contribute to this program despite all of this, even though he was undergoing treatment,” Leipold said. spoke this month. “Later on the road in January, Jeff Grimes, (co-offensive coordinator) Jim Zebrowski and I were recruiting in the Denver area and had a chance to stop by and spend a few hours with Matt. We have seen him and his family. Again, we wish him the best and although he is no longer part of the staff we will always be in touch with him. is.”
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics for the Topeka Capital Journal. He has been named the National Sports Media Association's 2022 Kansas Sportswriter of the Year. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or @JordanGuskey on Twitter.
