Kansas State Fires Head Coach Jerome Tang Amid Tumultuous Season
In a move that sends shockwaves through the Big 12, Kansas State has officially parted ways with men’s basketball head coach Jerome Tang. The announcement came late Saturday, with athletic director Gene Taylor citing conduct and comments that "have not aligned with K-State’s standards" as key reasons for the decision.
“This was a decision that was made in the best interest of our university and men’s basketball program,” Taylor said in a statement. While coaching changes midseason are always dramatic, this one arrives with added weight - not just because of the timing, but because of the public fallout that preceded it.
Tang’s exit comes as the Wildcats sit at 10-15 overall, with a 1-11 mark in Big 12 play. To put it plainly: it’s been a rough year in Manhattan. The team’s struggles have been evident on the court, but it was Tang’s postgame comments following a 91-62 blowout loss to Cincinnati on Feb. 11 that accelerated the unraveling.
“This was embarrassing,” Tang said after the game. “These dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform, and there will be very few of them in it next year.
I'm embarrassed for the university, I'm embarrassed for our fans, and our student section. It’s just ridiculous.”
Those remarks didn’t just sting - they echoed far beyond the locker room. Coaches often walk a fine line when calling out their players publicly, but Tang’s words struck a tone that clearly didn’t sit well with university leadership. When a coach openly questions whether his own players are worthy of the jersey, it raises questions about locker room culture, leadership, and long-term direction.
Now, with six games left before the Big 12 Tournament, the Wildcats find themselves without a head coach and with more questions than answers. An interim coach will be named soon, and a full-scale national search for Tang’s replacement is already underway.
Tang leaves Kansas State with a 71-57 overall record. He was earning $3.6 million this season, making him the 29th-highest paid coach in the country. His tenure included moments of promise, but the program’s recent trajectory - both on and off the court - ultimately led to this breaking point.
There are also reports that Kansas State is attempting to terminate Tang’s contract “for cause,” which would allow the university to avoid paying the $18.675 million buyout. That detail, if it holds, adds another layer of complexity to the situation and underscores just how strained the relationship between coach and administration had become.
Gene Taylor is expected to address the media Sunday evening. Until then, Kansas State fans are left to process a dramatic turn in a season that’s already been full of frustration. The next hire will be a pivotal one - not just to stabilize the program, but to restore belief in its direction.