University of Kansas

KU confirms via Twitter that Lance Leipold has ‘agreed to terms’ on a ‘new contract’

Lance Leipold spoke to media members on Tuesday in advance of KU’s game at Baylor.
Lance Leipold spoke to media members on Tuesday in advance of KU’s game at Baylor. KC Star

Kansas’ athletic department on Wednesday confirmed the university has reached an agreement with second-year football coach Lance Leipold on a contract extension.

In a Twitter graphic, the official KU football account included three pictures of Leipold with the headline, “New Contract.” Under those words were the signature of “Lance Leipold, head football coach.”

The tweet reads: “A bold investment. A bold vision.

“Building together for sustained success.

“We’re just getting started with @CoachLeipold, who agreed to terms with @KUAthletics.”

A KU official said contract deals are expected to be revealed “in coming days.”

On Tuesday night a source close to the situation confirmed to The Star that a new agreement has been reached. ESPN’s Pete Thamel was the first to report the news of the extension through 2029 in a Twitter post Tuesday night. Another source told The Star that AD Travis Goff has been holding talks in recent weeks with Leipold’s representatives about a new deal.

This all occurred as Nebraska is believed to be in its final stages of its search for a replacement for Scott Frost, who was fired early in the 2022 season. Leipold’s name also had been rumored as a potential option at Wisconsin.

KU athletic director Travis Goff is in the Bahamas for the men’s basketball team’s appearance in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament. He did not return a text request for comment.

Leipold, 58, has led KU to a 6-5 record. The Jayhawks are bowl-eligible for the first time since the 2008 season. This is Leipold’s second extension this season. Goff announced an extension through the 2027 season for Leipold back in September.

Leipold was averaging $2.75 million annually on his initial six-year deal when hired in 2021. In October, KU announced a massive construction project that includes renovations to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.

Kansas will meet Kansas State at 7 p.m. on Saturday in Manhattan.

This story was originally published November 23, 2022 at 4:04 PM.

Related Stories from Kansas City Star
Gary Bedore
The Kansas City Star
Gary Bedore covers KU basketball for The Kansas City Star. He has written about the Jayhawks since 1978 — during the Ted Owens, Larry Brown, Roy Williams and Bill Self eras. He has won the Kansas Sportswriter of the Year award and KPA writing awards.
Sports Pass is your ticket to Kansas City sports
#ReadLocal

Get in-depth, sideline coverage of Kansas City area sports - only $1 a month

VIEW OFFER