photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas head coach Charlie Weis and his son, Charlie Weis Jr. watch from the sidelines during the second quarter on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas head coach Charlie Weis and his son, Charlie Weis Jr. watch from the sidelines during the second quarter on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Friday was the final day of our access to KU’s preseason camp, and rather than talking to players or position coaches, we were given the chance to speak with some of the support staff, people who help make KU football go.

It offered a rare opportunity to get to some of the guys who do the work behind the scenes that doesn’t always get noticed and it produced some fun stories and soundbites.

Some of the names you’ll know. Some of them you’ll have heard but forgotten. But all of them play a key role in what KU does on a day-to-day basis. Here’s a quick look at some of the most notable interviews I conducted Friday.

Weis Jr. expands work to NFL

Kansas University football student manager Charlie Weis Jr., son of KU head coach Charlie Weis, attended a family reunion this summer, but none of the people there were his relatives.

Instead, Weis Jr., returned to Massachusetts and spent some time this summer working an internship with the New England Patriots, where Weis won three Super Bowls and spent five years as an offensive coordinator.

“A lot of them knew me from when I was there before,” Weis Jr., said with a big smile. “But they were all good to me and I didn’t have to deal with any (hazing or harassment). It was awesome.”
Most awesome, as you might guess, was the reconnection with New England quarterback Tom Brady.

“When I was a kid, I looked up to those guys,” Weis Jr., said. “They were idols to me. And to go from wearing a Tom Brady jersey to being able to kind of work with him a little bit was really cool.”

Weis Jr., who is used to being around more than 100 football players at any given KU practice, said he marveled at the behind-the-scenes work that went into cutting the Patriots’ final roster to the 53-man limit.

“When my dad was there I was obviously pretty young so this was my first time working in the NFL style,” he said. “It was a really good experience and it kind of got me some exposure.”

Willis thrilled to be coaching at alma mater

Less than a year after running onto the field with a KU helmet, jersey with his name on the back and full set of pads, Darius Willis finds himself preparing to run onto the same field in a very different manner.

Willis, who graduated from KU last May, is in his first year with the KU coaching staff, serving as one of four graduate assistants on the staff. Despite the quick change from player to professor, Willis said he’s enjoyed every second.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Kansas senior Darius Willis (2) reacts to a video of himself during a senior day recognition before the Jayhawks game against KSU Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

“I don’t feel weird,” the former linebacker and defensive lineman said. “It’s just something that comes naturally to me. I’ve always said in the back of my head that I wanted to be a coach when I was done playing and this is a great opportunity.”

Willis got the opportunity at the last minute when another former Jayhawk, Max Onyegbule, left the program for a job elsewhere. Willis got the call and jumped at the chance to stick around Lawrence.

“I’m just taking it one day at a time and trying to keep motivate myself and make the dudes around me better,” Willis said. “You always want to see where you played succeed. Being here and actually being a part of it is great.”

Another Mitchell on board

After playing for his father for one season at Illinois and working under him last season at Kansas, graduate assistant Kaeman Mitchell, son of KU running backs coach Reggie Mitchell, is finally feeling comfortable.

“This year, I know what to expect more,” Mitchell said. “And I’m doing a better job of staying ahead instead of catching up.”

Mitchell, who played defensive back and special teams at Illinois from 2009-12, spent one spring working with the Illini staff before coming to Kansas.

His role at KU focuses on the Jayhawks’ special teams and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I love special teams,” he said. “But if I was gonna coach on offense it would be running backs because I’ve been sitting in their meetings (with my dad) for 18 years.”

Parmalee duo having fun

The 2014 season will mark the first season together for former NFL coach and player Bernie Parmalee and his son Tre’ Parmalee, a junior wide receiver with the Jayhawks.

As close as any father-and-son duo, the older Parmalee said he has not seen either party act any differently than they would otherwise.

“It’s been fun,” Bernie said. “It’s really been fun. With playing in the NFL and coaching in the NFL and coaching in college, that’s a lot of time away. So to be in the same building with him and a part of the same team, that doesn’t happen very often.”

As for what kind of role he’s played specifically with his son, Bernie he treats Tre’ just like any other Jayhawk.

“As a dad, you ask yourself the question, can I work with a team where I have to work with my son,'” he said. “Since he was young, I’ve been on him, I’ve pushed him, hard love, tough love. But at the same time, I embrace it, he embraces it and, when we look back years from now, this time is gonna bring big smiles.”

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas receiver Tre' Parmalee has a would-be touchdown pass knocked away by Texas Tech defensive back Bruce Jones during the second quarter on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas.