Matthew Driscoll Steps In as Interim Head Coach for Kansas State Basketball After Jerome Tang’s Departure
MANHATTAN - There’s a new voice leading the Kansas State Wildcats, and it’s one with a deep well of experience. Following the university’s decision to part ways with head coach Jerome Tang, longtime coaching veteran Matthew Driscoll has been named interim head coach for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
Driscoll, who joined the Wildcats’ staff prior to this season, now takes the reins with six regular-season games and the Big 12 Tournament still on the schedule. His first test? A home matchup against Baylor on Tuesday night at Bramlage Coliseum.
So, who is Matthew Driscoll, and what does he bring to the table as the Wildcats look to steady the ship? Let’s dive into three key things to know about the man now calling the shots in Manhattan.
1. Driscoll Brings Proven Head Coaching Experience from North Florida
Before arriving in the Little Apple, Driscoll spent 16 seasons as the head coach at North Florida, where he built a reputation for turning a mid-major program into a consistent contender. He racked up a school-record 248 wins and became the winningest coach in ASUN Conference history with 144 league victories.
Under his leadership, the Ospreys captured three regular-season conference titles and made history in 2015 with their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. They followed that up with a trip to the NIT in 2016, further cementing Driscoll’s legacy in Jacksonville.
Leaving that behind to join Tang’s staff as associate head coach was a notable move-one that now puts him in position to lead a Power Five program through a turbulent stretch.
2. A Baylor Reunion Years in the Making
Driscoll and Tang go way back. The two were part of Scott Drew’s original coaching staff at Baylor, serving together from 2003 to 2009. That period was foundational for both coaches, as they helped rebuild a program that would eventually become a national powerhouse.
Driscoll left Waco in 2009 to take over at North Florida, while Tang stayed on and eventually took the head coaching job at Kansas State. Their reunion in Manhattan was a full-circle moment-and while Tang’s tenure has now come to a sudden end, Driscoll’s familiarity with the Big 12 landscape and his long-standing relationship with Tang offer continuity in a moment of upheaval.
3. Driscoll Was Brought In to Spark the Offense-Now He’s in Charge
When Driscoll joined the staff, he was dubbed the team’s “offensive coordinator,” a nod to his track record of building efficient, high-scoring teams. North Florida was known for its perimeter shooting and up-tempo style under his watch, often ranking among the nation’s leaders in 3-point shooting.
That identity hasn’t fully materialized in Manhattan. Kansas State currently sits eighth in the Big 12 in scoring at 80.2 points per game. While they’re second in the conference in 3-point makes and fourth in percentage, the Wildcats have struggled to put points on the board during a six-game losing skid-topping 64 points just once in that stretch.
Now, Driscoll has the opportunity to fully implement his offensive vision from the head coach’s chair. With a handful of games left and the Big 12 Tournament looming, he’ll be tasked with getting this group back on track-and fast.
What’s Next
The timing of the coaching change adds urgency to an already pivotal stretch of the season. Kansas State has talent, but the results haven’t followed. Driscoll’s challenge is to stabilize the program, re-energize the roster, and find a way to snap the losing streak before postseason play begins.
It’s a tall order, but if his past is any indication, Driscoll isn’t one to shy away from a rebuild. Now, he gets a chance to show what he can do on one of college basketball’s biggest stages.