Kansas coach Mark Mangino holds aloft an orange as KU athletic director Lew Perkins, right, looks on.

Mark Mangino’s image might have taken a hit following his messy departure from Kansas University’s football program, but his pocketbook suffered no such fate.

According to an agreement reached between the coach and the university, the former KU coach will receive a $3 million settlement in the wake of his Dec. 3 resignation.

The details of the settlement were requested by the Journal-World on Dec. 4 under the Kansas Open Records Act.

“We appreciate the eight years that Mark has given to rebuilding our football program,” KU athletic director Lew Perkins said in a release. “He and the University have reached a mutually satisfactory agreement that reflects the appreciation we have for his efforts on behalf of Kansas football.”

Mangino, who had four years remaining on a $9.2 million contract, was set to make $2.3 million per year before his departure.

In the agreement, KU revealed that it had drawn up and delivered to Mangino a draft termination letter on Dec. 2, which would have been effective Dec. 3. In exchange for KU revoking that termination letter, and “nullifying” the informal internal investigation into his treatment of players, Mangino agreed to the settlement.

In addition, both Mangino and the university agreed not to “disparage one another, or officials or employees or agents of the Parties, upon matters related to Mangino’s employment at the University.”

According to the settlement, Mangino, who coached eight seasons in Lawrence and is the program’s second-winningest coach, is to be paid in a lump sum by Dec. 24. He will also be provided with health insurance coverage through March 20, 2010, and life insurance through June 30, 2010.

Mangino also agreed to return all automobiles, cell phones, computers and keys assigned to him by KU.

University officials said the settlement would be paid through private funds raised by Kansas Athletics Inc., and that no state taxpayer funds would be used.