Mark Mangino took the podium today wanting to discuss the upcoming game against the University of Texas, but the media was unwilling to comply. The recurrent topic of the conversation was the internal investigation that has been launched by the athletic department and athletic director Lew Perkins into the conduct of Mark Mangino. There are rumors and allegations of verbal and physical abuse with players, but it is still too early in the process to get a good read into what will happen.
Mangino started by trying to deflect questions about the investigation and who is involved.
“I don’t (have any comments on it). First of all, I’m really focused on Texas and that’s the direction we’re going. I don’t really have much to say about it other than when you lose a few games in a row, those type of things surface. Those type of issues come up. It’s not uncommon. I don’t take it lightly, but I’m focused on Texas and I’m very comfortable with the way we manage and run the football program here.”
There are allegations of alleged incidents with current and former players that kicked off this investigation. Mangino again deflected the question about whether a recent incident is the root of this.
“I don’t want to talk about the issues or what was said – this person said this, and is this correct and all that. I’m not going to get into that. This is not the appropriate time for that.”
Mangino conceded that a 5 game losing streak may have played into the timing of this investigation.
“Yes to some degree. This is what comes when things aren’t going well. You’re going to find disgruntled people. It’s a fact of any organization, whether it’s sports related or it’s corporate – any profession you’re in. Our program has been successful and has done some great things here and we’re proud of it. The fact of the matter is that we’ve lost some games in a row here. Nobody feels worse than I do about it, and nobody is trying harder to get it straightened out. A fact of life is that these types of things are going to come up when things aren’t going well and that’s life. It’s how it works.”
Mangino was adament that his team will be ready to play in Austin. When asked if he thought this would be a distraction, he answered.
“No. Let me tell you why I say that – and I don’t want to in any way come off as arrogant, I just try to be direct – these two football games are more important to our players and us than anything on the outside that can be said or done towards me. I’m focused on Texas and that’s where all my energy is going and I’m really not going to be consumed by this. It’s not my nature. I’m happy with where our program has gone. I certainly don’t like the idea that we’ve had some losses here, but it’s not because of a lack of effort on our players’ part or my part or anybody’s part. It’s just what happened and we have to live with it and learn from it and build on it. Texas is my focus and I’m not going to be distracted from that. We put too much hard work into 12 months of the year to prepare for all these games to be distracted and not ready to give our very best. We’ll be ready to give our very best in Austin.”
Another area of curiousity for the media was whether or not Mangino has had a chance to discuss the investigation with athletic director Lew Perkins.
“Yes, I had a brief meeting with him. If you want to know what was said, I’m not disclosing it. He’s disclosing information about the situation, I’m not. I’m focused on the task at hand and want to stay on track.”
How long did the meeting with Lew Perkins last.
“It didn’t last long. It was 10 to 15 minutes.”
Mangino then commented on why he thinks Lew Perkins released a public statement about the investigation.
“You’d have to ask him; I don’t know. We’re all trying to get on a winning tract here and we’re trying to get the train on the track, so I can’t answer for him. That would not be appropriate for me to try and speculate why.”
One thing Mangino is confient about is the fact he hasn’t lost the support of this team.
“I haven’t lost the team – not one bit. I may have lost some people around here, but it’s not the players. Take it for what it’s worth. You decipher and see.”
Mangino finished up with whether or not he thought this issue could be a rallying point for a team that has been on the ropes the last 5 weeks.
“I don’t know. I never gave that a thought. I’m not really one that’s ‘it’s us against the world’ type of thing. We’d like to have a win. I think that’s the thing that’s on all of our minds – what can we do to win a game. Let’s do everything that’s in our power as players and coaches to get a win. That’s what we’re looking for.”
