How's this for right direction...
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The Journal-World has learned that the wheels are in motion for Kansas University football coach Charlie Weis to bring in an offensive coordinator and that current offensive line coach Tim Grunhard will be stepping down following the season.
Sources have told the Journal-World that Rice offensive coordinator John Reagan, a former KU assistant on Mark Mangino's staff, will be hired to serve Weis in the dual role of OC and O-line coach and bring his offense to Lawrence.
The move would free up Weis to focus entirely on running the program as head coach, a role that entails recruiting, motivating players on the field and in the classroom, instilling discipline and challenging assistants in a variety of ways.
When asked for comment, a KU spokesperson neither confirmed nor denied to the Journal-World any particulars of the impending staff shake-up. The spokesperson added that Weis was unavailable for comment because his focus remained entirely on Saturday's 11 a.m. season finale against Kansas State.
Weis stayed in-house for his first attempt at sparking a listless offense when he turned over play-calling duties in midseason. He put quarterbacks coach Ron Powlus in charge of the passing game and tight ends coach Jeff Blasko coordinated the running game, roles they will fill through Saturday's game.
Reagan, who served as KU's offensive line coach and run-game coordinator for five seasons, is wrapping up his fourth season at Rice and third season as the Owls offensive coordinator.
Players who benefited from Reagan's tutelage at KU include 2007 All-American Anthony Collins, a finalist for the Outland Trophy and a fourth-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals. Jeff Spikes and Jeremiah Hatch earned freshman All-American honors in 2008 under Reagan and others earned All-Big 12 honors.
Reagan's time in Houston has been wildly productive. In 2012, the Owls produced the second-most productive offensive season in school history, piling up 5,556 yards, 414 points and 306 first downs on their way to winning the last five games and capturing the Armed Forces Bowl Championship. The Owls also set a school record and led the nation by averaging 33:59 in time of possession.
This season, Rice ranks 51st in the country in total offense and is averaging 431 yards per game and has scored 45 touchdowns. The Owls (8-3) boast the country's 14th-ranked rushing offense (250 yards per game) and quarterback Taylor McHargue ranks 65th nationally in total offense, accounting for more than 2,300 yards from scrimmage in 11 games.
Before joining the Jayhawks and Owls, Reagan, a Syracuse graduate, coached at Air Force and Temple. He has long been considered one of the up-and-coming offensive minds in football and his familiarity with the Big 12 and recruiting connections in Texas could provide a huge lift for a KU offense that has struggled during the past two seasons.
Reagan has returned to Lawrence often throughout the past several years to spend as much time as possible with his children, Kaitlyn and Daniel, who reside in Lawrence with their mother. During an interview with Journal-World sports editor Tom Keegan before last year's Rice-Kansas game in Lawrence, Reagan spoke fondly of his time at KU.
“It’s a great college town and we had the best five years in the history of KU football, and that was fun,” he said.
Rice, which currently sits in first place in the West Division of Conference USA, plays Tulane on Saturday. A victory would move the Owls into the C-USA title game. A loss would leave them awaiting their bowl fate.