Kansas has brought on board Matt Lubick as co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach to revamp the Jayhawks’ offense following a challenging season that did not culminate in a bowl appearance. This move is part of a broader restructuring of the coaching staff under head coach Lance Leipold.
Lubick will work closely with Jim Zebrowski, who served as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach last season. This new partnership is intended to fill the gap left by Jeff Grimes, who departed for a coordinator position at Wisconsin. Lubick previously spent two years with Kansas as a senior offensive analyst with Leipold’s team before moving to Nevada.
The 52-year-old Lubick has a family connection to the college football environment, being the son of former Colorado State coach Sonny Lubick. His past with the Jayhawks includes a significant role in the program’s resurgence, which saw them make their first bowl game appearance in over ten years and secure nine wins during the 2022 season, highlighted by a victory over UNLV in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.
In 2023, Lubick faced a personal health challenge when a bone marrow biopsy identified him with acute myeloid leukemia. After undergoing a stem cell transplant in December of last year, he received news that the cancer was in remission. Expressing his gratitude, Lubick mentioned the support he received from Coach Leipold and the staff, acknowledging their role in his recovery journey.
The Jayhawks’ performance last season started shakily with a 1-5 record, but they managed to claim four out of their next five games, achieving a notable three consecutive wins against opponents in the AP Top 25. Unfortunately, they wrapped up the regular season with a loss to Baylor, concluding with a 5-7 record, which meant they missed another bowl opportunity.
This change follows the recent retirement announcement of defensive coordinator Brian Borland, who had been alongside Leipold for over 18 years, dating back to their time at Wisconsin-Whitewater. Borland’s contributions were acknowledged by Leipold, who expressed gratitude for the influence and professionalism he brought to the program throughout his career.
DK McDonald, who was a co-defensive coordinator and working with cornerbacks last season, will step in to fill Borland’s position. The Kansas football program continues to evolve, aiming for improvement in the upcoming season with these strategic hires.