Yes, they have definitely dug a big hole that will take years to dig out of.
Mangino's problems built up over time. When he started screaming and cussing at parking lot attendants for writing tickets, and putting hands on players, the rest of his classless antics came to light and it snowballed. KU didn't do anything anybody else wouldn't have done in the same spot.
They've got some big time boosters, including KC's latest billionaires the Ward brothers. They need to do this one right and that's gonna cost them.