By SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
FRISCO, Texas — Lance Leipold knows the expectations around Kansas football are different than they were when he arrived in Lawrence.
Now entering his sixth season with the Jayhawks, Leipold said Wednesday at the 2026 Monster Energy Big 12 Football Media Days at the Ford Center at The Star that the program has raised its standard — even if the last couple of seasons have not finished the way Kansas wanted.
“Standards have changed and expectations have changed in Lawrence, Kansas, since we arrived, and we’re proud of that,” Leipold said. “Obviously, the last couple years have not gone the way we have. We haven’t found a way to close out some close ballgames.”
Leipold said Kansas has had opportunities to stack together more postseason appearances, but close losses have kept the Jayhawks from taking another step. He said that responsibility falls on him.
“We could be sitting up here today talking about four consecutive bowl games,” Leipold said. “But we haven’t done that, and where it falls, it falls on the head coach. I have to do a better job.”
Still, Leipold said he believes Kansas has a roster capable of being highly competitive in a Big 12 Conference that has shown plenty of year-to-year movement.
He pointed to past examples of teams exceeding preseason expectations, including Baylor, TCU and Arizona State in recent years. Leipold said the current era of college football, with the transfer portal allowing teams to add depth quickly, creates more opportunities for programs to rise.
“There’s a lot of things that can happen in this,” Leipold said. “Through the new portal era, I always think it has to do a little bit with some of the additions that people don’t talk about that add depth and quality depth and sustainability to certain teams that allow them to compete.”
Leipold said one of the biggest strengths of this year’s team could be its depth.
“The gap there is the least it’s ever been in our time,” Leipold said of the difference between starters and reserves.
Kansas brought five players to media days: defensive tackle Blake Herold, defensive end Leroy Harris III, wide receiver Cam Pickett, offensive lineman Calvin Clements and linebacker Trey Lathan.
Leipold also talked about the addition of running back Yasin Willis, a 6-foot-1, 225-pound transfer from Syracuse. Willis joins a running back room that includes Derby native Dylan Edwards, who previously played at Kansas State and Colorado.
Leipold said Willis gives Kansas a physical, downhill runner, while Edwards brings a different style to the offense.
“We really have two different running styles that can really give us some explosiveness as an offense and some versatility,” Leipold said.
The Jayhawks will also face a unique early-season challenge when they play Arizona State in London in Week 3.
Leipold said the international game came together in part because Kansas is in the second phase of its stadium renovation and is operating with reduced capacity. Still, he said the trip gives players a rare opportunity.
“I think we’re still about student-athlete experience, and I think we’re providing an opportunity for our student-athletes to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience to go over there and play a football game,” Leipold said.
Leipold said he had a chance to visit London in April and believes the setup will be strong. He said the challenge will be handling travel, time change, meals, practice facilities and then maintaining momentum for the rest of the season.
Both Kansas and Arizona State will have an open week after the game, something Leipold said should help with the transition back.
“We feel we have a very confident plan that when we do get back about how we’re going to get our guys some time down, transition back and then get ready for a game on Oct. 3,” Leipold said.
Leipold also said the London game gives Kansas, Arizona State and the Big 12 a chance for more international exposure. He credited Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark for looking for ways to expand the conference’s reach.
“I just hope really it’s the start of opportunities for this conference to really take advantage of things that will happen internationally,” Leipold said.
Beyond football, Leipold said he wants the Kansas program to help players build habits that carry into life. He specifically pointed to punctuality, academics and personal development as core parts of the program.
Kansas had a team GPA over 3.4 for the second straight semester, according to Leipold, who said academic success often helps players grow in confidence on and off the field.
“If you’re going to do well, you can’t just be a good football player,” Leipold said. “You need to be good in everything.”
Leipold said he wants players to understand that even those who make it to the NFL need to be prepared for life after football.
“You better find something else to do, and you won’t even be 30 years old yet,” Leipold said. “So you better have some other things to fall back on, and we try to emphasize that daily in our program.”
As for whether he feels extra pressure entering Year 6, Leipold said most of the pressure comes from within.
“I probably put enough internal pressure on myself for our team to be at its best year in and year out, whether it be Year 3 or Year 6,” Leipold said. “There’s no doubt expectations are higher. Sustained winning is difficult.”
Leipold said the goal remains for Kansas to continue improving and put itself in position to compete for conference championships and College Football Playoff opportunities.
“We look at what we can do each and every day to put ourselves in position,” Leipold said. “We’re excited about what this team will be.”