KANSAS ASSOCIATE ATHLETICS DIRECTOR (Odds)

Talk about a classic home-town football hero. John Hadl was one of those players whose performances kept fans spellbound and sent sports writers to the dictionary to look up new terms for "legend."

Hadl was the first KU player to be picked twice for All-America honors for his skills as a quarterback and half back. But that was only part of his value. Hadl also excelled as a defensive back, and punt returner. And he could punt with the nation's best - he led the country with a 45.6-yard average in 1959.

All-American quarterback and halfback for the Jayhawks from 1959 to 161 ... has coached with several Kansas head coaches ... been administrator for athletic department since 1992.

As the Jayhawk quaterback, Hadl directed Kansas to its first ever bowl victory in 1961, defeating Rice 33-7 in the Bluebonnet Bowl. Hadl still owns the KU school record for the longest punt (94 yards vs. Oklahoma, 1958), the longest interception return (98 yards vs. TCU) and ranks among the all-time leaders in career total offense and career passing.

Hald's number 21, along with Ray Eveans' number 42, and Gale Sayers' number 48, are the only three retired numbers in Kansas' 100-year football history.

Hadl, who was picked for the all-conference team for three seasons, wound up with 1,281 yards passing and 1,016 yard rushing.

With Hadl running the offense, the 'Hawks were ranked in the top 20 during his junior and senior years, finishing 15-5-2. He wrapped up his KU career leading his team to a 33-7 win over Rice in the Bluebonnet Bowl.

He was also named MVP in the East-West Shrine game and the College All-Star Game.

A good in-house candidate but he faces a tough challenge from his fellow associate athletic director Konzem.

After a sterling collegiate career, Hadl went on to play 16 seasons in the AFL and NFL with San Diego, Los Angeles, Green Bay and Houston. He was chosen the NFL Man of the Year in 1971 and the league's Most Valuable Player in 1973. Hadl played in four AFL all-star games, three title games and led the league in passing in 1968 and 1971. He passed for 33,513 yards in his professional career.

Hadl, 63, began his caoching career while he was still a professional, when he joined Jayhawk head coaches Jack Mitchell, Pepper Rodgers and Don Fambrough in spring drills. In 1978 he joined the Kansas staff on a full-time basis as quarterback coach, and was the offensive coordinator from 1979-81. In 1982, Hadl entered the professional coaching ranks as he tutored quarterbacks for the Los Angeles Rams under coach Ray Malavasi. In 1982, he took the position of Receiver/Quarterback coach with the Denver Broncos under Dan Reeves. From Denver, Hadl went to the USFL, where he served as head coach of the Los Angeles Express for two years (1984-85).

Hadl not interested in AD job (5-10-2001)

Hadl joined KU's administrative staff ash the Executive Director of the Williams Educational Fund. He currently is KU's associate athletics director.

A native of Lawrence, Hadl was a standout at Lawrence High School before attending KU. He has two children, John, 40, and Jackie 38.

— Courtesy of KUAthletics.com