Tulsa coach Danny Manning grateful for opportunity to learn at Kansas 'from the ground up'

Danny Manning is entering his first season as head coach at the University of Tulsa after a successful college and pro career, and working himself "from the ground up" at his alma mater.

Manning won an NCAA Championship as a player with the Jayhawks, was an NBA All-Star with the Los Angeles Clippers and then worked himself up from operations to the coaching staff at Kansas before getting his first head coaching opportunity seven months ago.

Manning told Jeff Latzke of the Associated Press that working from the ground up at Kansas helps him every day as he's aware of all facets of the program.

Manning is replacing Doug Wojcik, who had six straight winning seasons at Tulsa, but failed to make an NCAA Tournament appearance. Tulsa has had success under Bill Self and Nolan Richardson in the past.

Tulsa finished 17-14 overall last year and opens the 2012-13 season against LSU-Shreveport on Nov. 11.