The story of Mark Mangino's weight loss is more than just a physical transformation; it's a narrative of rediscovering priorities, cherishing family, and finding renewed joy in coaching. This article delves into the factors that motivated Mangino's lifestyle change, his methods, and the positive impact it has had on his life and career.
From Kansas to Youngstown: A New Chapter
After his departure from the University of Kansas in 2009, following a negotiated settlement of $3 million amidst allegations of player mistreatment, Mangino found himself at a crossroads. The years following his resignation were marked by both personal challenges, including his wife Mary Jane's battle with breast cancer, and opportunities for reflection.
In 2013, Mangino joined Youngstown State, his alma mater, as the assistant head coach, tight ends coach, and recruiting coordinator. This move marked not only a return to his roots but also a personal resurgence.
The Turning Point: Family and Health
Mangino's weight had been a topic of discussion throughout his career, often used in jest or as a point of criticism. However, the decision to address his health stemmed from a much deeper place.
Spending time with his grandchildren became a catalyst for change. As Mangino himself stated, he began to consider whether he would be around to witness important milestones in their lives, such as their First Holy Communion or high school graduation. This realization, coupled with his wife's illness, spurred him to prioritize his health. "I saw my wife sick, and I said, 'Geez, if something happened to my wife and something happened to me, the grandkids wouldn’t have any grandparents.' I decided I better get busy here. It’s time to stop putting my football team and my players ahead of myself."
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A Lifestyle Overhaul
Mangino embarked on a journey to change his lifestyle, incorporating more exercise and making significant adjustments to his diet. He emphasized the importance of a "drastic, drastic change" in his approach to things.
Mary Jane played a crucial role in this transformation, carefully preparing his meals and monitoring his portion sizes. This support system proved invaluable as Mangino navigated the challenges of adopting a healthier lifestyle.
While Mangino did not disclose his peak weight, he began working out and watching what he ate several weeks before even stepping on a scale. The results were evident, as observers noted that he looked like "a shell of his former self in an all-good way," without the telltale drooping skin often associated with rapid weight loss.
Releasing the Weight of the Past
Beyond the physical transformation, Mangino also shed the emotional weight of bitterness and resentment. He spoke highly of his time at the University of Kansas, emphasizing the "great time" he had there and the lasting friendships he forged.
"I hold the University of Kansas in high esteem," Mangino said. "I mean, I had a great time there. I had eight great years there. I had a chance to coach great kids; my wife and I still have great friends all over the state of Kansas that we keep in touch with and come out and visit."
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Mangino recognized that holding grudges would only consume his energy and hinder his progress. He chose to focus on the present and future, leaving the past behind. "Hey, grudges take work, they take energy," he said. "They take up your thinking and who has time for that?"
Finding Joy in Youngstown
Mangino's move to Youngstown State provided a fresh start and a supportive environment. He expressed feeling "thrilled" to be back at his alma mater, surrounded by good coaches and players.
"I’m having more fun right now than I’ve had in a long, long time in coaching," Mangino said. "I’m with good coaches, good guys. I’ve got wonderful kids I’m coaching. They’ll run through a brick wall for you. They’re tough as nails."
He also appreciated the welcoming atmosphere of the city, where people were more interested in his present contributions than his past labels. "Everybody’s been so welcoming and everybody’s just so happy to have you. And here they don’t care who I am or what I am or whatever the heck labels are on me, have handed to me, other people have given me."
Coaching Philosophy and Impact
Those who have worked with Mangino attest to his positive influence on players. Youngstown State head coach Eric Wolford, who played under Mangino at Kansas State, praised his ability to get the most out of his players and his positive impact on staff chemistry.
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One of Mangino's players, Kyle Adams, described him as a "players' coach" who genuinely cares about their well-being. Adams noted that Mangino took the time to connect with players on a personal level, even contacting their families. "I think he got a bad rep up there at Kansas and I don’t see any of that side of him here at Youngstown."
Overweight Coaches and Performance
An interesting point was raised about the performance of heavy-set college football coaches compared to their less corpulent counterparts. According to RAP, in 2008 and 2009, coaches performed the same regardless of whether they were overweight. It isn’t ridiculous to say that overweight coaches might be less successful, which is what led to the study in the first place. Leading a big football program can be very physically taxing because there’s so much to do. As Whitlock points out, obesity can lead to anger issues and depression that might interfere with the running of a program. On the other hand, they might have some advantages as well. Their extra bulk might have initially come from having experience at a particular position conducive to being a better coach (though this could go the other way as well). They might relate better to the larger recruits and team members.
The study showed that there are not enough coaches at these weights for the effect to be seen. A weakness in my methodology was that I didn’t distinguish between a coach who was just pudgy and someone like Mangino, whose obesity probably greatly affects his health. Like most statistical analysis, though, it shows that the media shouldn’t be as quick to jump to conclusions about causality.
A Future in Football
At 56 years old, Mangino remains open to future opportunities in football, stating that he is prepared and ready for the right situation. However, he is also content with his current role at Youngstown State, enjoying the moment and the positive atmosphere.
"If the right situation came about that I thought it was a good decision to make for myself, my family, my future and it’s a place I want to be with good people who care about football, I’d do it again. But right now, I’m day to day. I’m enjoying the moment. I’m enjoying being here at Youngstown. It’s fun. It’s like being home."