Following the 4-7 finish last season, Allen has overhauled the assisting coaching staff, with the key addition being defensive coordinator Tom Hayes. A former defensive backfield coach with the Redskins, Hayes coordinated the defense for Terry Donahue at UCLA for seven years and worked in the same capacity at Oklahoma.

Jayhawks at a glance

2001 schedule Sept. 1 vs. SW Missouri St. Sept. 8 vs. UCLA Sept. 15 vs. Wyoming Sept. 22 at Colorado Oct. 6 at Texas Tech Oct. 13 vs. Oklahoma Oct. 20 vs. Missouri Oct. 27 at Kansas St. Nov. 3 vs. Nebraska Nov. 10 at Texas Nov. 17 vs. Iowa St. 2000 results (4-7, 2-6 Big 12) at SMU L 31-17 UAB W 23-20 Southern Illinois W 42-0 at Oklahoma L 34-16 Kansas St. L 52-13 at Missouri W 38-17 Colorado W 23-15 Texas Tech L 45-39 at Nebraska L 56-17 Texas L 51-16 at Iowa State L 38-17

OFFENSE
The offense, which will be breaking in a new QB, RB and FB, figures to be more wide open due to the Jayhawks' talent level and overall depth at the receiver position. Allen will operate as co-offensive coordinator with an individual who has yet to be named.

When the Jayhawks open the season against Southwest Missouri State on Sept. 1, either sophomore Zach Dyer or redshirt freshman Mario Kinsey will be at QB. Both reportedly lacked consistency in the spring, although Dyer's slight edge in terms of experience may create a scenario where he opens as the starter. Kinsey, however, appears to have more potential. He's a quality athlete who brings an impressive array of skills to the QB position -- especially outstanding arm strength. But I wouldn't expect Kinsey to pay major dividends until the 2002 campaign.

Whether it's Dyer or Kinsey opening at QB, there will be plenty of options in the passing attack. The Jayhawks' featured wideout will be senior Harrison Hill, who led the way last season with 47 catches for a 12.6-yard average. However, the WR producing the most TDs was 5-7, 180-pound senior Roger Ross. He hauled in four TD grabs (Hill had one). Ross also averaged nearly 17 yards per reception. Other proven performers returning include senior Termaine Fulton, junior Byron Gasaway and sophomore J.T. Thompson.

While David Winbush and Moran Norris have moved on, the running game should be solid overall, due to the presence of battle-tested sophomore Reggie Duncan. The 5-9, 215-pounder contributed to the attack last season, finishing with 222 yards rushing. Another youngster, Daniel Coke, also saw some playing time as a freshman.

The Jayhawks' offensive line is led into battle by three very capable performers: senior RT Justin Hartwig, junior center Nick Smith and senior LG Bob Smith.

DEFENSE
Defensively, senior LDT Nate Dwyer is the primary headliner and major force along the defensive front. Last year, the 6-2½, 300-pound senior finished with 68 tackles, including seven sacks, 14 stops behind the line of scrimmage and four pass deflections. Dwyer is one of the best at his position in the Big 12.

There is also a great deal of athleticism at LB, where a pair of veteran seniors, OLB Algie Atkinson and mike-man Marcus Rogers, produce solid results on a week-to-week basis. The 6-4½, 240-pound Atkinson combines size with quickness and wing span to provide excellent pass-rush ability off the edge. He totaled seven sacks last year. Rogers was the Jayhawks' third-leading tackler with 91 stops.

Both safeties, including leading tackler Carl Nesmith, have moved on, so there are some holes to fill in the secondary. Returning at CB are senior Andrew Davison (nine pass breakups last season), senior Quincy Roe (14 pass breakups, three interceptions) and third-year sophomore Carl Ivey (two interceptions). Heading into fall practice, Roe and Ivey are in a battle for the starting job at RCB. The new safeties are junior Jake Letourneau and senior Jamarei Bryant.

The Jayhawks will be breaking in a new punter and kicker this season.

Overview: Now in his fifth season, you have to believe that Allen understood the pressure to produce a winning record this fall when he revamped his assistant coaching staff. Former Jayhawks head coach Glen Mason produced a winning record (6-5) in his fourth year, then led Kansas to an 8-4 record in '92 that included an Aloha Bowl victory over BYU. Until Mason turned things around, the Jayhawks hadn't been to a bowl game since 1981.

For Allen to produce a winning record this season, the new QB will have to mature quickly. Remember, Kansas' strength is quality depth at WR. Whether it be Dyer or Kinsey, the new QB has to get the ball in the hands of Hill, Ross, Fulton and company on a consistent basis. And with a solid young back like Duncan, offensive balance must be struck.