Scott Drew, the Baylor basketball coach, found himself in an unexpected emotional whirlwind after Kansas State handed the Bears a 90-74 defeat at Bramlage Coliseum. The game had an uncanny vibe for Drew, as he faced a Kansas State team without his longtime friend Jerome Tang on the sideline. Tang, who had been let go amidst a turbulent season for the Wildcats, was replaced by interim head coach Matthew Driscoll, another familiar face for Drew.
The season has been a rollercoaster for Drew, filled with challenges and emotional moments. "This whole year has been really strange," Drew shared.
"And I think this game capped it off for me. I’m glad we get a day off tomorrow.
I need it, because I’ve been an emotional wreck."
Tang’s dismissal came after a series of unfortunate events for Kansas State. Athletic director Gene Taylor made the decision following the team’s struggles and Tang's controversial comments that went viral, bringing unwanted attention to the program.
Tang, who spent nearly two decades with Drew at Baylor, was instrumental in building the Bears into a national powerhouse. Both Baylor and Kansas State have faced challenges in recent years, adding to the emotional complexity of the situation.
Reflecting on his long partnership with Tang, Drew expressed his dismay. "We spent 19 years together," he said.
"He’s family. We won championships together.
It’s been emotional for me and our staff. If you have a brother, a friend, and they go through any hardship, you feel it."
Despite the circumstances, Drew saw a silver lining in the opportunity to support Tang in person. "Coach Tang never stays down long," Drew noted.
"He’s such a positive and optimistic person. He loves the people here.
I know when I lose, the worst thing I do is let people down. That’s hard on me, and it’s hard on him."
Tang’s initial success at Kansas State, including a 26-win season and an Elite Eight appearance, couldn’t be sustained. The team hasn’t reached similar heights since, and recent struggles, including three consecutive home losses by significant margins, led to a loss of support from fans.
Driscoll, who had reservations about stepping in due to his loyalty to Tang, eventually took on the interim role and led the Wildcats to a much-needed victory. K-State’s 90-point performance marked their best result in months, lifting them out of the conference basement.
Meanwhile, Drew is navigating his own challenges at Baylor, with the Bears likely missing the NCAA Tournament this season. Watching Tang’s situation unfold added to the surreal feeling, almost as if Drew were living out an episode of a sci-fi drama.