First, to state the obvious: David Beaty is coaching this season for his job.
This was the likely scenario after the conclusion of last season. The firing of his advocate, former Kansas AD Sheahon Zenger, only enhanced that likelihood. New athletic directors—in this case Jeff Long—like to make their own hires early if given the chance, and it’s up to Beaty to prove that he deserves more time.
When a coach is fighting for his job and feeling the pressure, often he becomes more aggressive in his strategy, taking more risks as a last effort to be successful.