Matthew Driscoll Steps In as Interim Head Coach at Kansas State After Jerome Tang's Dismissal
Kansas State basketball is entering a new chapter-at least temporarily. With Jerome Tang officially out as head coach, the university has handed the reins to associate head coach Matthew Driscoll for the remainder of the season.
The move comes with six regular-season games left on the schedule, plus the Big 12 Tournament. Driscoll’s first test?
A home matchup against Baylor on Tuesday night at Bramlage Coliseum.
While the timing is abrupt, Driscoll isn’t walking into this role without experience. In fact, his coaching résumé brings some real substance to the table. Let’s break down what Kansas State fans should know about the new man leading the Wildcats.
From North Florida to the Little Apple
Driscoll didn’t just stumble into this opportunity-he made a calculated move before the season began. After 16 years as the head coach at North Florida, he stepped down to join Tang’s staff as associate head coach. That’s not a common move for a long-tenured head coach, but it speaks to the respect he has for Tang and the opportunity he saw in Manhattan.
During his time at North Florida, Driscoll built a program that punched above its weight. He left as the winningest coach in school history, racking up 248 victories and setting the ASUN Conference record with 144 league wins.
Under his leadership, the Ospreys won three regular-season conference titles and captured the 2015 ASUN Tournament championship-earning their first (and only) NCAA Tournament berth in the process. The following year, they made it to the NIT.
That kind of track record doesn’t guarantee success in the Big 12, but it does give Kansas State a coach who’s been in the pressure cooker before.
A Familiar Face from Baylor Days
Driscoll and Tang go way back. The two were part of Scott Drew’s foundational staff at Baylor from 2003 to 2009, helping to rebuild a program that was in disarray. That shared history is part of what brought Driscoll to Kansas State in the first place-it wasn’t just about joining a Big 12 program; it was about reuniting with a trusted colleague.
Now, with Tang out, Driscoll is the one tasked with steadying the ship. The familiarity with Tang’s system and the players should help ease the transition, even if the circumstances are far from ideal.
The Offensive Mind Behind the Curtain
Before the season tipped off, Tang made it clear that Driscoll would be his offensive coordinator. That made sense, given Driscoll’s reputation for running fast-paced, high-efficiency offenses at North Florida. His teams were known for their 3-point shooting and ability to put up points in bunches.
But that offensive firepower hasn’t fully materialized in Manhattan. The Wildcats are averaging 80.2 points per game-eighth in the Big 12-and while they’ve been solid from beyond the arc (second in 3-pointers made per game, fourth in percentage), the results have been inconsistent.
During their current six-game losing streak, Kansas State has topped 64 points just once. For a team that was expected to score, the offense has gone quiet at the worst possible time.
That’s the immediate challenge for Driscoll: can he re-ignite this offense and stop the slide? With the postseason looming, there’s not much room for error.
What’s Next for the Wildcats?
Driscoll’s interim title may come with an expiration date, but his impact over the next few weeks will be critical. Kansas State still has a chance to right the ship before the Big 12 Tournament-and maybe even make a little noise if they can find their rhythm.
It won’t be easy. But with a veteran coach stepping in, one who’s been through the grind and knows how to lead a locker room, the Wildcats have a fighting chance to finish strong.