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Record-setting offensive performances have been the result of Ed Warinner's return to the Kansas coaching staff as the offensive coordinator in 2007. Warinner will enter his fifth year overall at KU and third in a row this fall. Warinner spent 2005 and 2006 as run-game coordinator and offensive line coach at Illinois. In 2007 he returned to Lawrence, where he previously coached the offensive line and served as run-game coordinator in 2003 and 2004. The 2007 KU offense was the nation's second-highest scoring unit as it set school records in passing offense, total offense and scoring offense. The Jayhawks finished 2007 ranked high nationally in scoring offense (second), total offense (eighth), passing offense (17th) and rushing offense (31st). In 2008 the Jayhawks upped the season passing offense record as KU averaged 305.6 yards per game to rank eighth in the NCAA. KU also finished the year with the second-best total yards per game average and the third-best points per game average in school history. After a second record setting season for the KU offense in 2008, Warinner had the title of associate head coach added to his business card. In addition to overseeing the KU offense, Warinner coaches the Jayhawks' quarterbacks. Under his guidance, Todd Reesing became one of the school's most productive quarterbacks in his first season as a starter in 2007. Reesing set 20 different school records, was a Davey O'Brien semifinalist and was All-Big 12 Second Team in 2007. In 2008 Reesing continued his assault on the KU record book and was once again a Davey O'Brien semifinalist. The Jayhawk passing game featured two of the nation's top wide receivers in Kerry Meier and Dezmon Briscoe, who both recorded at least 90 catches and 1,000 receiving yards in Warinner's system. A 24-year college football coaching veteran, Warinner has worked for a number of legendary coaches, including Fisher DeBerry at Air Force, Jim Young and Bob Sutton at Army, George Perles and Nick Saban at Michigan State, Jim Dennison at Akron and Ron Zook at Illinois. Warinner's Illinois offense led the Big Ten Conference and finished 10th in the nation in rushing yards per game, averaging 188.3 yards on the ground per contest in 2006. The average was the Illini's best output since 1973. In his first stint at Kansas, Warinner served as the team's offensive line coach in 2003 and o-line coach and run-game coordinator in 2004. He was instrumental in the development of Jayhawks' center Joe Vaughn, who was named the 2003 Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year. Warinner, who was originally hired as KU's offensive line coach on February 14, 2003, was promoted to run-game coordinator the following season. His coaching efforts were evident in his first stint with Kansas as the KU offense improved its rushing average by nearly 40 total yards per game and 1.2 yards per rushing attempt in 2003. In addition, the Jayhawks scored nearly 10 more points per game while allowing 14 fewer sacks. A veteran of eight college bowl games as a coach, Warinner also spent time leading the rushing attack at the Air Force Academy and at Army. While at the Academy, the Falcons took home the national rushing title, averaging 307.8 yards per game on the ground, while going 8-5 overall and participating in the 2002 San Francisco Bowl. Prior to his stint at Air Force, Warinner spent 13 seasons at Army coaching the offensive line and defensive line and serving as both the recruiting coordinator (1988-91) and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach (1998-99). While at Army, the Cadets led the NCAA in rushing three times. He also spent time on the coaching staffs at Michigan State (1985-86) and Akron (1984). A Strasburg, Ohio native, Warinner played football and baseball at Division III power Mount Union College from 1979-83. In 1983, he led the team in rushing yards, receptions and scoring, earning his fourth letter. Warinner also earned two letters in baseball at Mount Union. Warinner received his bachelor's degree from Mount Union and his master's degree from Akron. Warinner and his wife Mary Beth have three children, Madisyn, Merideth and Edward. |
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