Moderator: We’ll begin our chat with coach Mangino in a minute or two. Thanks to both coach and our readers for their time this afternoon.

Woody: What goals do you have for winter and spring training in preparation for next fall?

Coach Mangino: First of all, we want to become a more physical football team and we’re working hard on our strength and conditioning program to do that. We need to get much stronger and physical at the line of scrimmage. And also, by the end of spring ball we’d like to have a good idea of who most of the two-deep roster will be, though that might not happen until fall.

Bruce: What would you like to see improved and or changed for KU football facilities?

Coach Mangino: We need to upgrade in nearly every area. Our stadium looks good, and our press box represents our program very well. But KU football needs to have its own facility, like most of its competitors in the Big 12. Currently, with the exception of the stadium and press box, KU football has very little else that it calls its own.

Coach Mangino: I am very proud of our new weight facility that Dana Anderson and his family have provided for us. That facility is state of the art. And even though the stadium is ours, we still share that with track events.

Scott: Hey coach, how do you feel about the depth on the defensive line, mainly at the tackle position? And could Anthony Collins play at defensive tackle?

Coach Mangino: Our defensive line must improve for our defense to improve overall. I think this spring will tell the tale on which veterans are going to line up in the fall, or if we’re going to rely mostly on newcomers. Anthony Collins is a possibility, but I’m not thinking in those terms right now.

Tim: With the addition of some fine recruits, a bowl caliber team and fan support is there more pressure on you and your staff?

Coach Mangino: Absolutely not. We put ourselves in a position to succeed. We see that as a positive for the future, not as a negative. KU fans who truly understand the history of KU football know that we are moving in the right direction and are pleased with our progress. I’m not talented enough to orchestrate a turn-around in just two seasons. We have to keep working at it and good things will come.

Dane: How important is it to lock up the state of Kansas during recruiting?

Coach Mangino: Kansas players and Kansas City players continue to be our top-ranked recruiting priority. I’m not sure what “lock up the state” means, but we are sure doing our best to recruit Kansas talent.

John: Great job recruiting as always. I believe in Green and McClinton you just may have found they guys who will lead us to the promised land. What are your thoughts on these two players?

Coach Mangino: Gary Green is an outstanding player. He has a great attitude and work ethic, and is a young man who will leave his mark on KU football. James McClinton is a guy who plays with great leverage and quickness, he’s powerful and he can run to the ball. He certainly think he’s going to be a fine player for us as well. As far as going to the promised land, where is that?

Ward: Congratulations on a great season this year. How much did the bowl appearance this year help with recruiting?

Coach Mangino: Competing in a bowl game always helps your program. It gives you more practices, it gives you more exposure and it gives your players and opportunity to see how the top teams in the country spend their Decembers. It also opens doors in recruiting, which also enhances our program for the future.

Jeff: Will John Randle and Charles Gordon play offense or defense next year?

Coach Mangino: We will have a better idea after spring ball is completed.

DBAhawk: A healthy Travis Watkins would be a real boost this fall. How is he doing, and is there any chance he will be held out or limited in spring ball to make sure he gets back to 100% by August?

Coach Mangino: Travis Watkins has the potential to be a very fine player in our program, however I have not seen Travis play very much since I’ve been the head coach at Kansas because of his injuries. Travis will be 100 percent this spring, and he will practice the entire spring. If his injuries slow him down in the spring, which I don’t think they will, I find it unlikely that he could be a major contributor in the fall. But as of right now, he looks good, is moving around very well and we have high hopes for him.

Beau: Coach, can we expect to see any more signings or a possible late signing or are you done with this recruiting class?

Coach Mangino: The possibility always exists for a late signing. That’s part of our overall recruiting philosophy.

Pritchard: What can you tell us about the progress of Tony King and Zach Mims, two players who redshirted last year?

Coach Mangino: As is the case with most of our redshirted players, Tony King needs to continue to have a great winter conditioning and spring ball. He is very talented and must mature physically and emotionally, as is the case with a lot of our young guys, so that he can contribute this fall. Zach Mims has gotten stronger and more physical. We look for him to contribute to the improvement of our defense.

Kane: How’s the kicking game looking for the next few years at KU?

Coach Mangino: We believe we’ve improved ourselves in the kicking game in this recruiting class and we’re very confident that is an area we’ll get better in. No question about that.

Michael: The question I have is what do you think of the national trend of putting your best athletes on defense? Is this a trend or are athletes just getting better across the board?

Coach Mangino: Today’s athletes are bigger, stronger and faster at nearly every position on the field. Part of building a successful program is getting the right players in the right places. That’s something we evaluate on a daily basis at KU. We’ve put our best players where they fit in best to help our ball club.

Kenny: Coach how do you see the QB position shaping up. Having to replace Bill can’t be easy. Is the starting position still up in the air?

Coach Mangino: I can’t make any comments on the quarterback position without watching our players work on the practice field this spring. I’m very confident that will continue to be a strong position for us, and I am confident in all of the young guys competing at that position. After using seven quarterbacks in my first two seasons here at KU, I realize there is no such thing as too many good quarterbacks.

Moderator: That does it for our chat with coach Mangino. Again, thanks to coach and our readers for their time this afternoon.