 However, when Kansas regressed to 4–7 in 1974, Fambrough was fired.Fambrough returned as head coach in 1979, and his second tenure as head coach is best known for the Jayhawks' 1981 season, that ended with an 8–4 record and an appearance in the All-American Bowl which, like many bowl games before it, resulted in a loss for the Jayhawks.Fambrough retired after the 1982 season.