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The Texas Longhorns will have to prepare for a new Iowa State Cyclones offensive coordinator this week after head coach Paul Rhoads revealed that Mark Mangino is out after less than two season:
Iowa State announces Mark Mangino out as offensive coordinator. Todd Sturdy takes over. Paul Rhoads says he and Mangino not on the same page
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) October 26, 2015
The 59-year-old Mangino had been out of coaching since he was fired as the Kansas head coach in 2009 prior to taking a job with his alma mater, Youngstown State, in 2013. A year later, he joined the Iowa State coaching staff as the offensive coordinator/tight ends coach.
In an odd move, despite the public announcement of Magino's departure, Rhoads hadn't yet told his players:
Rhoads said he hasn't told the team yet about Mangino. He wants to "look them in the eye" and tell them in person at a 1:30 meeting.
— Bobby La Gesse (@BobbyLaGesse) October 26, 2015
The exact philosophical differences aren't yet clear, but this has apparently been building for some time, despite the fact that there are signs that the Iowa State offensive is functioning at a reasonably high level -- the Cyclones are No. 55 nationally in offensive S&P+ and No. 47 in offensive efficiency.
A 2-5 record doesn't reflect well on Rhoads or Mangino, but Iowa State has also faced the ninth-hardest schedule in the country, so there haven't been a lot of easy wins available. The context and solid offensive production make this a move that reeks of desparation from the embattled Rhoads, who is likely to lose his own job after the season barring a miraculous and unlikely finish.
Replacement Todd Sturdy won't have much time to adjust the offense, so don't expect anything more than some minor tweaks by this Saturday as Sturdy attempts to more fully align his side of the ball with Rhoads' preferences.
Sturdy is now in his fourth season at Iowa State, having helped to develop wide receiver Quenton Bundrage before moving to quarterbacks coach in 2014 and overseeing a historically significant season from Sam Richardson. Despite that development last year, redshirt sophomore Joel Lanning is the new starter after throwing three touchdowns passes against Baylor, further complicating Texas game planning. From 2008-2011, Sturdy served as the offensive coordinator under Paul Wulff at Washington State.