Despite his reputation as a relentless worker, Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino said there’s one day a year that he’ll stay out of the office: Dec. 25.

“I’m going to try not to,” Mangino said. “We’re going to have fun and enjoy it. And that’s a good day for me, just having time to spend time with my family without having to go to work.”

The Jayhawks, who at 7-5 this season earned their second straight postseason bowl bid, have just eight practice days remaining before taking on Big Ten foe Minnesota in the Insight Bowl on Dec. 31 in Tempe, Ariz.

Asked if he might be tempted to go over some game film or carry out some last-minute game-planning during the holiday, however, the coach answered quickly.

“I won’t do that,” Mangino said, smiling. “I don’t want to create any problems on Christmas.”

UMinn QB looks familiar

Mangino said that after watching video of Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber in preparation for the teams’ Insight Bowl meeting, he sees a little bit of Matt Grothe in the Minnesota signal-caller.

Grothe, the South Florida quarterback who piled up 368 total yards in a 37-34 USF victory against Kansas earlier this season, is widely known for his versatility at the position, and Mangino acknowledged a similar skill set from Weber, a second-team All-Big Ten selection this season.

“Matt Grothe’s probably a little bit more polished, and been around a little longer,” Mangino said. “But (Weber) will pull the ball down, and he knows where to get it.”

Interim coach impressing

Joseph Fowler, a Kansas graduate assistant filling in for recently departed defensive-line coach Joe Bob Clements, has earned the respect of Mangino in his short time working with the unit.

“Joseph’s a hard-working kid, man,” Mangino said. “He works hard, he cares, and he’s doing a very good job for us.”

At the same time, Mangino declined to discuss the likelihood that Fowler, who has been involved with the program for three seasons, would be considered a candidate for the defensive-line-coaching position next season.

“I don’t discuss candidates for jobs publicly,” he said. “I just don’t do that.”