By the time the entire Kansas football roster was summoned for a Sunday meeting, most of the players already knew. They had read the news on social media. In fact, over the previous several hours, they had been exchanging text messages about reports that head coach David Beaty would be fired.
So the official announcement from athletic director Jeff Long offered little surprise. It did, however, provoke some emotion.
In their first meeting with reporters since Long dismissed Beaty _ who will finish out the final three games of the season _ KU players on Tuesday described a passionate reaction from their head coach as he embarks on his final days in Lawrence.
Shortly after Long informed the players of the university's decision, Beaty stepped into the room, closed the door and reiterated the goal over the ensuing several days.
Win.
KU will face will rival Kansas State on Saturday morning, a game in which the players require little motivation. But now they've got some.
"We're even tighter _ more than ever," senior defensive tackle Daniel Wise said. "We're still supporting him. He's been fully supportive of us throughout our ups and downs. And just like he told us and we told ourselves, our main focus is to win."
Beaty, who is 6-39 in four seasons at KU, will guide the Jayhawks during their three final games of 2018 _ at Kansas State, at Oklahoma and at home against Texas.
During his first in-person news conference since his firing, Beaty opened Tuesday by touting the program's academic accomplishments over the past four years. He rattled off a list of individual accolades, such as all-conference selections. After an emotional radio appearance late Monday, he tried his best _ and mostly succeeded _ in holding that emotion in check Tuesday. But a glimpse of it showed when he mentioned the response from his players, some of whom visited his office late Sunday night.
"I truly believe that our guys, they've grown into being great servants of the Lawrence community," Beaty said, adding, "I got a little emotional last night because these dudes are studs. I mean they're ready to go and locked in."
After a crack in his voice, he concluded his weekly press conference with, "I'll miss them."
He requested the questions Tuesday remain about football. About Kansas State.
The shift from the news to the game was easier said than done. But after only a handful of seconds Sunday, Beaty sensed the players were ready for it. And he described a "bounce in their step" when they met for practice Monday.
"The thing I really like is he's going to get to finish the season out with us. For us as seniors, I'm glad it's going to kind of stay the same in that regard," senior linebacker Joe Dineen said. "He's obviously a great man and a great football coach. I really think he's going to be fine. I can't be more thankful to him because he's done a lot for me. I'm really glad he gets to finish out the season with us."
Dineen cataloged the progress within the program since he stepped onto campus in 2014. The talent level. The interest in the program. The sheer number of players.
"I think a lot of people don't know what (Beaty) stepped into and how difficult it really was and how bad of a place we were really in," Dineen said. "Honestly, he really did turn this program and get it headed in the right direction. He did a lot of work that didn't necessarily result in the wins column, but the stuff he did for us and this program is pretty remarkable."
The search for Beaty's successor is underway, and Long said he's hopeful to act "shortly after the season, if not before."
"I really think KU football is headed on the right track," Dineen said. "I really think whatever coach comes in here is going to be blown away by how close we really are."
