Jerome Tang Out at Kansas State as Wildcats Eye New Direction
With just six games left in the regular season, Kansas State has made a seismic move: head coach Jerome Tang is out. The school announced Sunday night that it has parted ways with Tang, a decision that comes just weeks before the Big 12 Tournament tips off on March 10 in Kansas City.
This isn’t your typical late-season coaching change. Kansas State isn't just moving on - they’re doing so with intent.
The university is seeking to terminate Tang “for cause,” which would allow the school to avoid paying the $18.7 million buyout attached to his contract. It’s a bold move, especially considering the team’s struggles this season might’ve been enough to justify a change on their own.
The Wildcats are sitting at 10-15 overall, with a dismal 1-11 record in Big 12 play. After the high of an Elite Eight run in 2023, the program never found its footing again under Tang. That momentum quickly faded, and the on-court product has failed to meet expectations.
Athletic Director Gene Taylor made it clear this wasn’t just about wins and losses.
“This was a decision that was made in the best interest of our university and men’s basketball program,” Taylor said in a statement. “Recent public comments and conduct, in addition to the program’s overall direction, have not aligned with K-State’s standards for supporting student-athletes and representing the university. We wish Coach Tang and his family all the best moving forward.”
Tang, for his part, pushed back strongly on the university’s reasoning.
“I am deeply disappointed with the university’s decision and strongly disagree with the characterization of my termination,” he said. “I have always acted with integrity and faithfully fulfilled my responsibilities as head coach.”
He went on to thank those closest to him and reflect on his time in Manhattan.
“I would like to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for the opportunity to serve as head coach at Kansas State,” Tang added. “It has been one of the great honors of my life.
I am grateful to the players, staff, and fans who make this program so special. I remain proud of what we built together and confident that I have always acted in the best interests of the university and our student-athletes.”
Now, the focus shifts to what’s next for the Wildcats. As with any high-profile coaching vacancy, the rumor mill is already churning.
One name that always seems to surface in these conversations is Illinois head coach Brad Underwood. His ties to the Big 12 - including a stint at Oklahoma State and a long coaching career that began in the region - make him a natural target in theory.
But in practice? That door is closed.
Underwood’s current contract with Illinois includes a non-compete clause that effectively prevents him from taking another college basketball job. Even if he wanted to entertain the idea of returning to the Big 12, his deal in Champaign locks him in.
Jeremy Werner of Illini Inquirer clarified the situation in a quote-tweet responding to Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68:
“1) He has a non-compete clause with all of college basketball.
He can't leave. 2) #illini are a top-tier Big Ten program. Why would he leave?”
While the second point is more subjective, it’s rooted in recent success. Underwood guided Illinois to the Elite Eight in 2024, marking the program’s deepest tournament run since that memorable national title game appearance in 2005.
That postseason run also brought Illinois its second Big Ten Tournament title under Underwood, following a championship in 2021. Add in 103 conference wins over the past decade, and it’s clear: Underwood’s not going anywhere.
So while Kansas State begins its search for a new leader, one thing is certain - the next coach will inherit a program at a crossroads. The Tang era brought flashes of promise but ultimately fell short of sustaining success. Now, the Wildcats are looking for a fresh start, and the clock is ticking.
The Big 12 Tournament is just around the corner. And Kansas State is already thinking about what comes after.