What Is 2011 Kansas Jayhawks football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2011 Kansas Jayhawks football team represented the University of Kansas in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 2–10 record under head coach Turner Gill. They played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence and were members of the Big 12 Conference. Their only conference win came against Texas on October 1.

Key Facts

The 2011 Kansas Jayhawks finished the season with a 2–10 overall record
Head coach Turner Gill was fired after the season, posting a 2–10 record in his second year
The team's only Big 12 victory was a 35–34 win over Texas on October 1, 2011
They played home games at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas
Quarterback Kale Pick started multiple games due to injuries and rotating QB situations

Overview

The 2011 Kansas Jayhawks football team competed in the NCAA Division I FBS as part of the Big 12 Conference. Led by second-year head coach Turner Gill, the team struggled throughout the season, finishing with a 2–10 overall record and 1–8 in conference play. Despite high hopes entering the season, the Jayhawks failed to build on previous momentum and faced numerous offensive and defensive shortcomings.

The season was marked by inconsistent quarterback play, defensive lapses, and a lack of depth that hindered their competitiveness. Their lone highlight came in a dramatic victory over Texas, a program historically stronger than Kansas. This win provided a brief spark but was not enough to salvage the season or save Gill’s job.

Record: The team finished 2–10 overall and 1–8 in Big 12 play, placing them near the bottom of the conference standings.
Head coach: Turner Gill was dismissed after the season, ending his tenure with a 5–19 overall record in two seasons.
Home stadium: The Jayhawks played all home games at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas, which has a capacity of over 50,000.
Key victory: A 35–34 win over Texas on October 1 was their only conference win and a rare bright spot in the season.
Quarterback situation: Multiple quarterbacks saw action, including Kale Pick, Jordan Webb, and Dayne Crist, reflecting instability at the position.

How It Works

The 2011 season for the Kansas Jayhawks followed a standard NCAA college football structure, with 12 regular-season games and no postseason appearance. The team operated under the Big 12 Conference schedule, facing a mix of conference and non-conference opponents.

Offensive system: The Jayhawks ran a spread offense under coordinator Jim Zebrowski, aiming to increase tempo and exploit defensive weaknesses through passing.
Defensive scheme: The team used a 3–4 base defense, which struggled to generate pressure and allowed 38.4 points per game, ranking among the worst nationally.
Recruiting impact: The 2011 recruiting class was ranked 58th nationally by Rivals, with limited immediate impact on the roster.
Injury challenges: Key injuries to players like Dayne Crist and defensive linemen disrupted continuity and depth throughout the season.
Coaching changes: Turner Gill’s firing led to the hiring of Charlie Weis in December 2011, marking a significant program shift.
Game management: Poor clock management and fourth-quarter collapses were recurring issues, especially in losses to Colorado and Oklahoma State.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2011 Kansas Jayhawks compared to select Big 12 peers based on key performance metrics:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Points Per Game	Points Allowed
Kansas	2–10	1–8	18.5	38.4
Oklahoma	10–3	6–2	41.2	20.1
Baylor	10–3	7–2	46.3	29.2
Texas	8–5	4–5	28.1	26.3
Iowa State	6–6	3–6	25.8	30.7

The table highlights the significant gap between Kansas and the rest of the Big 12. While teams like Oklahoma and Baylor excelled offensively and reached BCS bowls, Kansas ranked last in scoring offense and defense in the conference. Their struggles reflected deeper systemic issues in talent development, coaching, and player retention.

Why It Matters

The 2011 season was a turning point for Kansas football, symbolizing the end of one era and the beginning of a rebuild. The poor performance led to major coaching changes and prompted a reevaluation of the program’s direction. It underscored the challenges of competing in a power conference without consistent recruiting success or player development.

Program transition: The firing of Turner Gill marked the end of a failed experiment and led to the hiring of Charlie Weis, who promised immediate improvement.
Recruiting overhaul: The 2011 season’s failure prompted a shift in recruiting strategy, focusing on junior college and transfer additions.
Fan engagement: Attendance at Memorial Stadium dropped, reflecting declining fan confidence in the program’s competitiveness.
Media coverage: Kansas received minimal national attention, with only one televised conference win during the season.
Player development: Several players, including defensive end Toben Opurum, declared for the NFL Draft despite the team’s poor record.
Historical context: The 2–10 record tied for the worst in school history since 1956, emphasizing the depth of the downturn.

The 2011 season remains a cautionary tale in college football, illustrating how quickly momentum can erode without strong leadership and consistent performance. While overshadowed by more successful Big 12 programs, it played a crucial role in shaping Kansas football’s future trajectory.