Name: Mark Mangino Position: Assistant Head Coach Offensive Line/Running Game Coordinator

Anyone who has been involved in the world of athletics understands the need for challenges. Mark Mangino had just completed his eighth and most successful season at Kansas State University when a new challenge came knocking at his door – helping OU get back to its winning ways.

On January 2, Mangino joined the Oklahoma staff as the assistant head coach and running game coordinator. He will also have the day-to-day responsibility of the offensive line.

"This is a great opportunity and challenge for me," noted Mangino. "There's only two reasons why I would accept this offer – Bob Stoops and the University of Oklahoma. First of all, I know and respect Bob Stoops. In time, he will develop into one of the outstanding head coach's in this game. Secondly, the University of Oklahoma has one of the greatest traditions in college football. The opportunity for me to be a part of that tradition was something I just couldn't pass up. Coach Synder and the people associated with Kansas State were great to me and my family. However, I needed a new challenge and this is it."

Holding the same title at KSU as what he'll have in Norman, Mangino had the longest tenure of any of K-State assistant coach under Bill Synder. He was named the assistant head coach at the beginning of the 1998 season, but also served as the running game coordinator and offensive line coach. He also coordinated K-State's recruiting efforts for the past four seasons.

Under his guidance, the Kansas State running game improved yearly. This past season, KSU finished 10th nationally and third in the Big 12 Conference in rushing offense. In 11 regular season games, the Wildcats set new school standards for rushing yards (2,521), rushing average (229.2 ypg) and rushing touchdowns (41). The 41 rushing touchdowns were also the most by a Big 12 team this year.

Mangino, 42, joined the K-State staff in 1990 after serving as the head football coach at Ellwood City (Pa.) High School for one year. Prior to that, he spent three seasons (1987-89) as the offensive coordinator at Geneva (Pa.) College, where he helped the program to its three best seasons in school history (24-9) and the 1987 NAIA national semifinals. He also coached two seasons (1985-86) as an assistant coach at Youngstown State and four years (1981-84) as an assistant coach at his alma mater, New Castle (Pa.) High School.

"Mark is the complete package as an assistant coach," said Stoops. "He's played a vital role in the success that Kansas State has achieved recently, both in the running game and in the recruiting wars. I've known Mark a long time and he'll be a perfect fit for what we are trying to achieve here."

Mangino and his wife, Mary Jane, are the parents of two children, Samantha and Tommy.

The Mangino File
Birthdate: August 26, 1956
Hometown: New Castle, Pa.
High School Education: New Castle
College Education: Youngstown State (1986)

Coaching Experience:

1998     Kansas State University
(Assistant Head Coach)
	
1997     Kansas State University
(Running Game Coordinator)
			
1991-96	 Kansas State University
(Assistant Coach)
	
1990	 Ellwood City (Pa.) High School
(Head Football Coach)
	
1987-89  Geneva (Pa.) College
(Offensive Coordinator)
	
1985-86	 Youngstown State University
(Assistant Coach)
	
1981-84	 New Castle (Pa.) High School
(Assistant Coach)

Marital Status: Married to the former Mary Jane Fiorante. They have two children, Samantha and Tommy.