This whole business going on within the Kansas football program is getting interesting.  KU athletic director Lew Perkins called a players only meeting Monday to "discuss" the program with the players.  There are some parents involved in this as well.

Perkins then called head coach Mark Mangino in to inform him that Perkins is hiring an independent consultant to evaluate the program.

Finally, Perkins cloaks the entire thing in secrecy citing federal shield laws. “It involves a personnel matter, and as a result, is confidential."

Excuse me?

I've read at least ten articles on this story and no one can quite put their finger on the issues.  Reports range from alleged harsh treatment of players to physical contact with players to the team's current five game losing streak to Mangino's physical appearance. As I said, no one really knows.

In defense of Mangino, Kansas football was a joke before he got there.  Yes, the players and fans expected better than the 5-5 record the Jayhawks are currently are now, but those expectations were set by the success Mangino has had during his tenure there.  Mangino has impacted a dormant program by turning frogs into princes and now, suddenly, his job security is being threatened.  Mangino is the (meaty) face of Kansas football and his departure could send the Jayhawks back to the football stone age.  Considering Kansas is a basketball school, a lot of people could care less.

I  the know guy can coach.  And I would hate to think that some school somewhere wouldn't hire him because he is a big boy.  According to Jason Whitlock, Mangino's issue at Kansas is his weight and that he could lose his job because of it.  Whitlock asserts that all the extra weight makes Mangino mean, a mad dictator who is quick to rip into his players but slow to show love.  Dr. Whitlock also asserts that Mangino's weight issue, combined with the stress of running a high profile college football program are perhaps a volatile cocktail for Mangino. Dr. Whitlock says "they can put your mind in a very negative place. They can make you moody and volatile."

I haven't heard anything so stupid since the  "Twinkie Defense."

Have we become that shallow a society where a man who is good at his job can be fired simply because he is grossly overweight?  Are we so enamored by the images we see on TV of beautiful people, movie stars and athletes that we equate being overweight people of being less productive or less intelligent than everyone else.  Do we assume that fat people are just lazy slobs and if they choose to eat Twinkies over health food they must be stupid.

Look around.  Fat people are about the last group of people left that can be publicly ridiculed without major protests (try making a crack about gays or illegal immigrants and see how quick they organize a march or get you fired.)  Most people believe being fat is a choice.  Even doctors shame fat people when they come in for checkups. 

But I have news for you.  Mark Mangino's weight doesn't make him stupid.  Look at the record.  Just a couple of years ago Mangino, who weighed then what he weighs now, guided Kansas to a 12-1 season and an Orange Bowl win.  I'll say it again: His ability to coach has nothing to do with his physical appearance.

Do yourself a favor, Lew Perkins.  Give Mark Mangino a vote of confidence and at least one more season.  No matter if he weight 250 or 450, the guy has earned it.