Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino considers himself well versed in the task of building a football program.

“That’s why I have gray hair,” he quipped.

And also why he feels the pain of his next opponent. Sure, Florida International coach Mario Cristobal sports a full head of black hair, at least for now. But after being hired this past offseason to lead FIU to brighter days, Cristobal has found more than a few bumps as the journey has gotten started.

Today against the Jayhawks at Memorial Stadium, the Panthers (0-3) will try to snap a 15-game losing streak. After winning four of their last five in 2005, the Panthers were winless in ’06, getting shut out three times.

Mangino has been there. When taking over the Kansas program in 2002, he went through an eight-game slide that finally ended in 2003 against UNLV.

His advice? Stay the course.

“Just keep at it,” Mangino said. “Don’t worry about history. You work for the present and be mindful of the future.”

Cristobal seems pleased with his team’s progression. After getting stomped by Penn State, 59-0, the opening week, the Panthers played two BCS programs tough the past two weeks, losing 26-10 to Maryland and 23-9 to Miami.

“Slowly but surely, guys are certainly understanding our process a little better, understanding the schemes a little better, and sure as heck put every ounce of effort into it on a daily basis,” Cristobal said. “Again, we feel that every week we are going to take those steps, and we’re pushing forward.”

The Panthers are blessed with good team speed, but suffer from size disadvantages in several areas. Their biggest defensive lineman is 267 pounds, just one starter on the offensive line is more than 300 pounds, and none of the linebackers weighs more than 225.

Catching up size-wise should come as Cristobal starts to taste success and is able to lure recruits with more typical measurements from around the state.

But for now, FIU will keep working with what it has – continuing today as a 30-point underdog against the Jayhawks.

“Most kids, you’ll be surprised, want to get better. They want to see themselves getting better. They want to see the coach making them get better,” Mangino said. “That’s how the kids really respond.

“If the hard work and all the sacrifices you ask them to make : they see results? You’ve got them sold. They’ve bought into it.”