LAWRENCE — As Kansas football started its spring practices in March, the construction for the renovation of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium was already underway.

It’s a project that began in earnest after the last home game of the Jayhawks’ 2023 season had been played. It’s one that garnered a lot of interest from those around Lawrence, the state and the nation, as well. Kansas football coach Lance Leipold mentioned to reporters after a practice that Jayhawks men’s basketball coach Bill Self had recently asked him about it, too.

That construction will continue throughout spring ball and the months to come as Kansas works on the first phase of its larger project for that area of campus. People making their way by the site will routinely be able to notice how many workers are there and how much they’re committed to getting done. And it drew a comparison from Leipold.

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“It kind of reminds that, just like your program, you’re always under construction,” Leipold said in mid-March. “But at the same time, it’s really exciting to see what has transpired in this short period of time. And the future’s even brighter.”

Here are five more takeaways as the Jayhawks’ coordinators have met with reporters after practices:

Lance Leipold highlights the importance of not being complacent

Kansas’ 9-4 season in 2023 is the program’s best in more than a decade, but Leipold pressed upon the importance of not being complacent. He noted the Jayhawks can’t afford to sit down and watch their highlight tapes from last year, or read about how good they supposedly were. If they do, their competitors could more easily pass them by.

Leipold understands the expectations are heightened for Kansas in 2024. He pointed out the respect factor opponents will have for the Jayhawks will be, too. Taking advantage of these spring practices and the months to follow will be critical.

Jeff Grimes praises how he’s been received as a new staff member

With Andy Kotelnicki’s departure to Penn State last year, came an opening for Kansas at offensive coordinator. Leipold turned to Jeff Grimes, who recently coached at Baylor. And so, this represents Grimes’ first spring ball with the Jayhawks.

Grimes said the reception has been awesome from day one. He said everyone, players and staff, have been open with him. He mused that the seamless transition has come, in part, because of the familiarity he had with Leipold.

Jim Zebrowski speaks to his own relationship with Jeff Grimes, and the quarterbacks’

Jim Zebrowski is also now a co-offensive coordinator, but since he followed Leipold here from Buffalo before the 2021 season he’s worked with Kansas’ quarterbacks. Zebrowski said the quarterbacks have done well adjusting to a new offensive coordinator. He added Grimes has expressed trust in him, in how they should think about what the quarterbacks do moving forward.

Zebrowski added it’s been awesome to work with Grimes. From Zebrowski’s perspective, the arrival of a new coach comes with anticipation of that individual adding something to the program. It’s clear that the experience Grimes has had at Baylor, BYU and elsewhere has been evident to Zebrowski.

Coordinator Brian Borland shares how the spring will progress for the defense

When Brian Borland spoke early during spring ball, the defensive coordinator said at that moment it’s about playing hard, fast and physical with good fundamentals every play. But, eventually, they’ll get more into schematics as they look to improve on how they play during third down and red zone situations. It’ll all play a role in the evaluation of the roster, as he knows Kansas will need some guys to step up.

Jereme Robinson’s limitations during spring ball provide other players an opportunity

Borland mentioned senior defensive end Jereme Robinson is “totally limited” and “really not doing anything,” and acknowledged that’s not a good thing. But, Borland added, Robinson is also someone who’s played a lot during his career. That lessens the need for Robinson to do a lot during spring ball, and also opens an opportunity to the other defensive ends on the roster for more reps.

Borland highlighted redshirt senior defensive end Dylan Wudke as someone whose showcased physicality in their early practices. Redshirt junior defensive end Dean Miller is among those who’ve showcased aggressiveness and speed. It’s a position group Borland noted will sort itself out in time.

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: What does Lance Leipold think about KU football's stadium renovation?