BOULDER — Speculation and rumors thrive on trying to “put two and two together,” so it comes as no surprise that some wonder whether Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn will interview with Kansas this weekend while in Lawrence, Kan., for Saturday’s football game between the Buffaloes and KU, his alma mater.
That certainly would be convenient. However, Bohn said Wednesday that he has not been contacted by Kansas and is unaware of any timetable the school might have for hiring an athletic director. The position was vacated when Lew Perkins resigned on Sept. 8 amid allegations of a ticket scandal involving athletic department employees.
Saying he is happy at Colorado and looks forward to CU’s move to the future Pac-12 next year, Bohn did not want to be quoted about the KU opening because anything he says could lead to further speculation.
Nobody could blame him for picking up the phone if the caller ID displayed a Lawrence number. Bohn, who turns 50 on Nov. 16, earns a base salary of $300,000 annually, with another $100,000 possible from incentives. Perkins’ yearly compensation was $900,000.
A multisport standout at Boulder High School, including the starting center on the Panthers’ 1979 state championship basketball team, Bohn played football and baseball for the Jayhawks in the early 1980s. He became CU’s athletic director on April 13, 2005.
Kansas officials have said the hiring process could last until early spring, although many expect a decision to be reached sooner. KU has not mentioned potential candidates for the opening.
Fewer flags.
Colorado committed a total of 28 penalties (for 224 yards) in its first three games but has been flagged only 27 times for 175 yards in the past five games.
“That (improvement) comes with experience,” CU junior wide receiver Toney Clemons said. “Coaches have been harping on it, and young guys are playing more calm and relaxed.”
Hagan: Jefferson’s future in backfield.
Since moving from wide receiver, sophomore Will Jefferson (5-feet-11, 190 pounds) has played in just three games as a running back, netting 52 yards on 12 carries. But that’s enough for CU running backs coach Darian Hagan to predict that Jefferson’s future is in the backfield.
“He’s a natural runner,” Hagan said Wednesday after practice. “When he’s back there, he looks more natural than he does at the receiver position. He needs to bulk up a little bit, but his long-term future is at running back.”
Footnotes.
Kickoff for the Nov. 13 CU-Iowa State game at Folsom Field has been set for 11:30 a.m. to accommodate the telecast by Fox College Sports Central (Comcast channel 414). . . . CU has not committed a turnover during its past nine quarters, including entire games against Texas Tech and Oklahoma. Those marked the first back-to-back, turnover- free games for the Buffs since the final two games of the 2006 season, against Iowa State and Nebraska.
Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
