Long solid with Kansas

When the news broke today that Kansas linebackers coach Kevin Kane was leaving to be the defensive coordinator at Northern Illinois the talk quickly surfaced around Maciah Long.

Long, who recently led North Shore to the Texas state title, has been committed to the Jayhawks as a linebacker. The Kansas coaches didn’t take very long to reach out to him and did so this afternoon. Calvin Thibodeaux who has been the lead recruiter and defensive coordinator Clint Bowen spoke to Long.

“I spoke with coach Tibs as well as coach Bowen,” Long said. “It went good. I wanted to know where they were headed and they let me know everything would be all right and everything has stayed the same. They said they would be hiring another coach and coach Kane left for a position that would benefit him. They just told me everything would be okay and the plans are still the same with me.”

Thibodeaux and Kansas head coach David Beaty are set to make an in-home visit with Long and his family on Jan. 19. He will take his visit to Lawrence a week later.

After Long quarterbacked North Shore to the state championship he said he wanted to give his body a rest. After taking time off he’s ready to get back to work.

“I have been resting up and now I think it is time to get that going,” Long said. “I’m starting weights again so I can get back in shape and make sure I am ready for the next level.”

Long plans on doing the discus this spring and also practicing with the track team to improve his speed.

He said has no plans to change his mind during the final month of recruiting.

“My mind isn’t changing,” he said. “I’m KU all day long.”