A television report that former Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino is back in the game appears to be inaccurate.

KSTP Channel 5, an ABC affiliate in Minneapolis, reported that Mangino had been hired as a consultant to University of Minnesota football coach Tim Brewster.

However, on Wednesday Minnesota athletic director Joel Maturi denied the report to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He said the report was false and “frustrating.”

Several Minnesota media outlets reported over the weekend that Mangino was on the Gophers’ sideline during their loss Saturday to USC.

But Maturi said Mangino hadn’t been hired.

“No, he’s not,” Maturi told the newspaper. “He just came in as a friend to coach Brewster.”

Mangino has talked about his respect for Brewster, and the two coaches, along with their wives, Mary Jane and Cathy, are friends.

“Minnesota has made huge strides in their second season under Tim Brewster,” Mangino said in December of 2008, shortly after accepting a bid to play the Gophers in the Insight Bowl. “They are making outstanding progress and will be a formidable bowl opponent.”

The Jayhawks won the game, 42-21, but a little more than a year later, Mangino, 53, was out at KU, resigning under pressure last December after an investigation into his conduct toward players in the KU program.

Mangino spent eight seasons in charge of the KU football program. He compiled a 50-48 overall record.