Charlie Weis introduced at KU

New coach says KU ‘unique’ opportunity, right fit for his family

Charlie Weis laughs at the podium as he addresses media members during a news conference in which Weis was announced as the new football coach for KU on Friday, Dec. 9, 2011 at the Anderson Family Football Complex.

Charlie Weis introduced as Kansas head football coach

Charlie Weis said taking the head coaching job at Kansas was the right move for him and his family. Weis addressed the media Friday, Dec. 9, 2011 at the Anderson Family Football Complex.

Players surprised by, happy with Weis hire

Kansas football players Toben Opurum, Kale Pick and Tanner Hawkinson gave their thoughts on the hiring of Charlie Weis as their new head football coach Friday, Dec. 9, 2011 at the Anderson Family Football Complex. Enlarge video

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Charlie Weis press conference

Charlie Weis was introduced as Kansas University's new head football coach Friday, Dec. 9, 2011 at the Anderson Family Football Complex.

Charlie Weis was introduced as the new head coach at Kansas during a press conference on Friday afternoon at the Anderson Family Football Complex.

Though it's not finalized yet, KU athletic director Sheahon Zenger said the contract would be for five years and is expected to be for around $2.5 million per year.

Weis said he first met with Zenger on Thursday morning.

"I think I would have been foolish to not come on board (at KU)," Weis said.

Weis began by discussing his family's situation. His wife, Maura, and 16-year-old daughter, Hannah, will continue to live in Florida, where Hannah has the best care for her developmental disorders.

Weis said he was looking forward to the challenge of turning KU into a winner. He even joked that he was hoping to retire at KU so that the Jayhawks could hire a cheaper Charlie Weis (his son).

Charlie Jr. will transfer to KU from Florida.

Charlie Sr. promised that KU's conditioning program would be ramped up starting in January.

"It's not going to pleasant around here in the springtime," Weis said.

No specific timeline was given for competing the staff, but both Zenger and Weis indicated it would be completed quickly.

"That's totally up to Coach," Zenger said. "I'm now back to being an AD."

Weis said that KU running backs coach Reggie Mitchell would be retained and that he had already begun the process of assembling the rest of his staff.

The new coach said he would talk to all of KU's current assistant coaches during the process.

Weis indicated that coaching fit would be important.

"I could give you a conga line of some of the best coaches that want in here," he said.

Newell_Post 1 year, 5 months ago

Will Charlie Sr. be joining the conditioning program?

rgh 1 year, 5 months ago

You mean the same way Joe Paterno and Bill Snyder do?

Ceee 1 year, 5 months ago

I was ambivalent about the hire of Weiss. Then I listened to him at the news conference. He came across as knowledgeable, committed, and quite the family man. But I was most impressed with his description of how he got to where he was (Parcells and Belchick were his mentors), his grasp of the pros vs. the college game, and his plans...step one: to recruit good coaches who could work well together. He appears to have learned many lessons in his long career. I hope he coaches as well as he presented himself at today's news conference..

dstavin 1 year, 5 months ago

I don't doubt that Weis loves his family, but I think a man who lives halfway across the country from his wife and disabled child is not a "family man." I think he's a man who's married to his job. How often will he actually spend time in Florida with his wife and daughter? That said (and before y'all jump on me,) I know it's none of my beeswax. If it works for them, that's what matters.

jesse499 1 year, 5 months ago

None of my beewax but he has a child with medical problems which means doctors which mean money so just maybe this is what he feels he needs to do to pay for the care she needs.

hitme 1 year, 5 months ago

If he has to travel on weekends to see the family, it would seem that weekend recruiting may be limited. Reviving this program will take more than a five day per week commitment.

As I listened to Terry Allen and Turner Gill when they were newly hired, I remember thinking both hires were a mistake. Weis at least talks like he might be able to come up with a plan. However, past performance as an indicator of future success would show that this job is just too much for his ability. He isn't starting with experienced and talented players. He's in a deeper hole than he's ever been in, in his career (even after he trashed ND.)

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