Kellis Robinett’s weekly Big 12 report: Former Kansas coach Mark Mangino out at Iowa State

Mark Mangino’s coaching career took another surprising turn Monday.

The Iowa State offensive coordinator and former Kansas coach parted ways with the Cyclones after two unproductive conversations with Paul Rhoads following a 45-27 loss to Baylor.

Rhoads announced the move Monday morning at his weekly news conference, explaining they could no longer agree how to manage the offense. It was unclear whether Mangino resigned or was fired.

“Unfortunately, I had to make a change in offensive coordinator this morning,” Rhoads said. “Mark and I couldn’t get on the same page on a few important items. We tried to talk that through this morning in an effort to get us moving in a different direction. In the end, Mark was not interested in that.

“I wish that wasn’t the case, but I respect and understand his conviction. I would like to thank Mark for all he has done for our football program and wish him well.”

Quarterbacks coach Todd Sturdy will take over as Iowa State’s offensive coordinator.

The coaching change took most by surprise. Rhoads announced the news to media before informing his players, leading several of them to share their astonishment on social media.

The strangest part about the coaching change was its timing. Iowa State (2-5, 1-3 Big 12) was averaging 422.4 yards and 26.9 points, the best numbers of Rhoads’ seven-year tenure. Iowa State’s defense, meanwhile, is allowing 465.1 yards and 33.9 points, numbers that rank near the bottom of Rhoads’ time at Iowa State.

Still, Rhoads defended the decision.

“We couldn’t get there,” he told reporters. “In the end, there was no compromise but to move on.”

Rhoads announced other big shakeups to Iowa State’s offense Monday, saying that Joel Lanning will take over at quarterback in place of senior Sam Richardson.

The Cyclones host Texas on Saturday, and need a late push to avoid their third straight losing season.

Mangino was in his second season as Iowa State’s offensive coordinator. Previously, he served as an assistant at K-State and Oklahoma.

He came to Ames after a four-year hiatus from coaching at the FBS level. As a head coach, he memorably led Kansas to a 12-1 season in 2007, winning the Orange Bowl. He went 50-48 in eight seasons with the Jayhawks, resigning in 2009 amid allegations of player mistreatment.

Baylor turns to freshman QB

Baylor will have to finish the season with an unproven quarterback.

Starter Seth Russell needs surgery to repair a broken bone in his neck, the No. 2 Bears announced Monday. He suffered the injury on an awkward hit against Iowa State over the weekend.

Freshman Jarrett Stidham will now direct the nation’s most potent offense, starting Nov. 5 at at Kansas State.

Some wonder how Stidham will handle the pressure. Baylor’s schedule is back loaded, with games against Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and TCU remaining. Russell had completed 119 of 200 pases for 2,104 yards and 29 touchdowns, difficult numbers to match.

But Stidham is up for the challenge. A former five-star recruit, he has completed 24 of 28 passes for 331 yards and six touchdowns this season.

“We certainly have tons of confidence in Jarrett,” Baylor coach Art Briles said. “He is beyond his years maturity wise. He doesn’t act like a freshman or perform like a freshman.”

Power rankings

1. TCU (7-0, 4-0): Horned Frogs need to be careful with West Virginia. Mountaineers always play them tough.

2. Baylor (7-0, 4-0): Bears couldn’t get to 60 against Iowa State.

3. Oklahoma (6-1, 3-1): Sooners have turned things around since the Texas loss.

4. Oklahoma State (7-0, 4-0): Mike Gundy has mastered the two quarterback system.

5. Texas Tech (5-3, 2-3): All three of its losses came against top 20 teams.

6. Texas (3-4, 2-2): Longhorns can still reach a bowl game.

7. West Virginia (3-3, 0-3): Mountaineers will need to finish strong after a tough start.

8. Kansas State (3-4, 0-4): Bill Snyder last lost four in a row in 2005.

9. Iowa State (2-5, 1-3): Maybe a new defensive coordinator would help, too.

10. Kansas (0-7, 0-4): The march toward a winless season continues.

Game times for Nov. 7 (announced Monday)

▪ Baylor at Kansas State, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 5 (FS1)

▪ Texas Tech at West Virginia, 11 a.m. (FS1)

▪ TCU at Oklahoma State, 2:30 p.m. (FOX)

▪ Iowa State at Oklahoma, 6 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU)

▪ Kansas at Texas, 7 p.m. (Cox 22/Longhorn Network)

This story was originally published October 26, 2015 at 3:19 PM with the headline "Kellis Robinett’s weekly Big 12 report: Former Kansas coach Mark Mangino out at Iowa State."