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Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Sep 26, 2002 by Ric Anderson Capital-Journal

By Ric Anderson

The Capital-Journal

LAWRENCE --- After drawing punitive action from Lawrence High School for criticizing officials at last Friday's LHS-Olathe East football game, Kansas coach Mark Mangino remained unapologetic on Wednesday.

"I reacted the way a responsible father ought to react in that situation," said Mangino, whose son, Tommy, is the Lions' starting quarterback. "I'll tell you the truth: In my eyes, it wasn't a big deal. And it's being made a big deal, but I'm going to leave it at that for the sake of my son and Lawrence High."

LHS officials took unspecified action against Mangino after determining he had violated Kansas State High School Activities Association sportsmanship and conduct rules while complaining that officials failed to call a late hit on his son during the Lions' 26- 7 win.

Sunflower League commissioner Mike Etnire said LHS athletic director Ron Commons told him Mangino made a "pretty bad outburst" near the Olathe East crowd, while LHS coach Dirk Wedd called him to apologize for Mangino's actions and assure him that the officials' call was correct.

Olathe East coach Jeff Meyers said the play that spurred Mangino's anger came in the fourth quarter when Tommy Mangino dropped back to pass and was hit by an East defensive end. Tommy Mangino was shaken up on the play and was taken to the sideline, where he remained the rest of the game. Meyers said that although videotape of the hit showed it was a "good, clean shot," Mangino didn't see it that way.

"I guess that got coach Mangino upset," he said. "He didn't think the referees were protecting his son."

What happened from there isn't entirely clear. Lawrence High officials declined to discuss details of the incident, as did lead official Jim Knight, of Overland Park. The Topeka Capital-Journal contacted several people who were at the game, but all but one declined to speak about the incident on the record.

The eyewitness who agreed to be identified, LHS fan Jim Fender, said he never heard Mangino berate an official. Although Fender could not vouch for Mangino's actions during the game, he said he was with Mangino from the time the game ended until Mangino got in his car to go home.

"He made one comment to them when they happened to go by us," Fender said. "He said, 'You guys gotta be careful not to let anybody get hurt.' That was it."

Fender said he came forward after learning that Mangino was being accused of chasing down officials after the game and confronting them in a profanity-laced tirade. He said Mangino never used profanity.

Mangino, who issued a statement on Tuesday saying he would "do whatever is right for my children," took a beating Wednesday on talk shows and in chat rooms as fans criticized his behavior. Speaking after practice, Mangino declined to respond to the criticism.

"I'm not going to react to those kind of things," he said. "I made a statement, I stand by that statement and I'm not affected by rumors because I know the truth."