Kansas State Fires Jerome Tang: A Program Reset Begins in Manhattan
With a month still left in the regular season, Kansas State has made a decisive move. Jerome Tang is out as head coach, ending his tenure just shy of four full seasons. Assistant coach Matthew Driscoll will take over on an interim basis while the Wildcats begin their search for a new leader to steer the program forward.
Tang’s journey to Kansas State was anything but conventional, and it’s one that reflects the winding path many coaches take to reach the top. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, raised in the Virgin Islands, and later settling in Texas, Tang built his coaching resume from the ground up.
He spent years in Texas high school basketball before joining Scott Drew’s staff at Baylor in 2003. For 19 seasons, Tang was Drew’s trusted assistant, playing a major role in one of the most impressive rebuilds in college basketball history - culminating in a national championship.
That championship pedigree brought him to Manhattan in 2022, where he made an immediate splash. In his first year, Tang led Kansas State to 26 wins and an Elite Eight appearance - a dream debut by any standard.
But sustaining that success proved elusive. The Wildcats followed up with back-to-back 9th place finishes in the Big 12, and this season’s 10-15 record - including a brutal 1-11 mark in conference play - ultimately sealed his fate.
Now, Kansas State is turning the page. The search for a new head coach is officially underway, and with weeks still remaining in the season, the Wildcats have a head start in what could become one of the more intriguing coaching hunts of the offseason. Here’s a look at some of the early candidates who could be in the mix:
Casey Alexander - Belmont Head Coach
Alexander has built a reputation as a consistent winner. With 15 years of Division I head coaching experience under his belt, he’s led Belmont to six straight 20-win seasons and has the Bruins battling at the top of the Missouri Valley Conference.
He also took Lipscomb to the NCAA Tournament and a deep NIT run before returning to his alma mater. Alexander’s resume is strong - the question is whether his system and style would translate to the Big 12 grind.
Jerrod Calhoun - Utah State Head Coach
Calhoun has been a steady riser in the coaching ranks. After a successful run at Division II Fairmont State, he turned around Youngstown State and now has Utah State trending upward fast.
In just two seasons with the Aggies, he’s closing in on 50 wins and has them in the hunt for a Mountain West title and NCAA Tournament berth. Calhoun’s teams play with energy and purpose - and he’s shown he can build programs in a hurry.
Bryan Hodgson - South Florida Head Coach
Hodgson’s coaching roots trace back to his time with Nate Oats at Buffalo and Alabama, where he helped engineer major turnarounds. He got his first head coaching shot at Arkansas State in 2023, where he racked up 45 wins in two seasons and captured a Sun Belt regular season title.
Now at South Florida, he’s led the Bulls to a 17-8 record and has them trending in the right direction. Hodgson’s recruiting chops and ability to flip programs quickly make him a name to watch.
Chris Jans - Mississippi State Head Coach
Jans has deep ties to the Midwest and a proven track record of success. A former junior college coach in Kansas, he’s worked at multiple levels and has delivered results everywhere he’s been.
He led New Mexico State to an NCAA Tournament win and has taken Mississippi State to the Big Dance in each of his first three seasons. If Kansas State wants a seasoned coach with a strong defensive identity and a history of winning, Jans fits the bill.
Ulric Maligi - Former Kansas State Associate Head Coach
Maligi knows the terrain in Manhattan, having served under Tang at Kansas State. He’s been an assistant at several major programs including Texas, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech, and has built a reputation as a top-tier recruiter. While he doesn’t have head coaching experience, his familiarity with the program and connections in the region could make him a serious internal candidate - especially if the Wildcats are looking for continuity with a fresh approach.
Ryan Miller - Murray State Head Coach
Miller has logged over two decades in college basketball, including assistant roles at Auburn, Memphis, and TCU. After four years on Creighton’s staff, he finally got his head coaching opportunity at Murray State this past offseason - and he’s made the most of it. The Racers are sitting in second place in the MVC, and Miller’s Big 12 and Midwest ties could make him a natural fit for Kansas State’s next chapter.
Erik Pastrana - Miami Assistant Coach
Pastrana’s coaching journey began at Kansas State as a graduate assistant nearly 20 years ago. Since then, he’s worked under respected names and helped build winning cultures at Stephen F.
Austin, Oklahoma State, Florida, and Georgia. Now at Miami, he’s already making an impact.
He’s never been a head coach, but his deep coaching experience and familiarity with Kansas State could make him a dark horse candidate.
Josh Schertz - Saint Louis Head Coach
Schertz has been one of the hottest names in college basketball over the past few seasons. After dominating at the Division II level with Lincoln Memorial, he turned Indiana State into a force before taking over at Saint Louis.
The Billikens are currently 24-1, and Schertz’s offensive system and ability to maximize talent have drawn attention nationwide. The big question: would he be interested in Kansas State, or will he have his pick of even bigger jobs?
Takayo Siddle - UNC Wilmington Head Coach
Still under 40, Siddle has already built an impressive resume. He’s worked under Chris Holtmann and Kevin Keatts, including time in the ACC at NC State.
Since taking over at UNC Wilmington in 2020, he’s led the Seahawks to a CBI title, an NCAA Tournament appearance, and continued success in the Colonial. His teams are well-coached, disciplined, and tough - and he’s very much a coach on the rise.
Travis Steele - Miami (OH) Head Coach
Steele has Miami-Ohio undefeated midway through February, and that alone turns heads. But he also brings Power Five experience from his time at Xavier, where he had mixed results but still showed he could run a major program.
With prior experience under Kelvin Sampson and Chris Mack, Steele has a strong coaching pedigree. His current success with the RedHawks suggests he’s learned from past challenges and could be ready for another shot at the big stage.
What’s Next for Kansas State?
Firing a head coach before the end of the season signals urgency - and ambition. Kansas State isn’t just looking for a replacement; they’re seeking a reset.
The next hire will need to bring more than just Xs and Os. They’ll need to recruit, re-energize the fan base, and compete in one of the toughest conferences in college basketball.
The list of potential candidates is long and varied - from seasoned veterans to rising stars - and the Wildcats have the advantage of being early to market. Whether they opt for familiarity, experience, or a bold new direction, one thing is clear: this is a pivotal moment for Kansas State basketball.