Kansas State and Tang part ways amid disappointing season
After an Elite Eight run in his first season, Tang exits Manhattan with a 71-57 record as both sides prepare for a legal fight over his contract.
The Jerome Tang era at Kansas State has come to an abrupt end.
Kansas State Athletics Director Gene Taylor announced the school is parting ways with men’s basketball head coach Jerome Tang, effective immediately. An interim head coach will be announced in the near future, and a national search for the program’s next leader will begin immediately.
“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.”
According to ESPN, Kansas State has informed Tang that he is being fired for cause. Per his contract, Tang is owed $18.67 million, but the university is reportedly citing language that references any activity that brings “public disrepute, embarrassment, ridicule” to Kansas State as the basis for the for-cause termination.
Per sources, Tang plans to challenge the university’s decision regarding the termination reason.
Tang released a statement responding to the move.
“I am deeply disappointed with the university’s decision and strongly disagree with the characterization of my termination,” Tang said. “I have always acted with integrity and faithfully fulfilled my responsibilities as head coach.”
He added, “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.”
Tang, who took over the Wildcats prior to the 2022-23 season, found immediate success in his first opportunity as a head coach. In his inaugural year, Kansas State finished third in the Big 12 with an 11-7 conference record and went 26-10 overall, advancing all the way to the Elite Eight. It marked the program’s first Elite Eight appearance since 2018 and just the third since the 1988 season.
However, that magical March run would ultimately stand as Tang’s lone NCAA Tournament appearance in Manhattan.
The Wildcats struggled to maintain that momentum in the years that followed, and this season spiraled into disappointment. Kansas State is 10-15 overall and 1-11 in Big 12 play, tied for last place in the conference.
The situation intensified following a 29-point home loss to Cincinnati, when Tang delivered a fiery postgame rant that drew widespread attention.
“These dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform,” Tang said at the time. “There will be very few of them in it next year. I’m embarrassed for the university, I’m embarrassed for our fans, our student section. It is ridiculous.”
Kansas State followed that defeat with a 78-64 loss to No. 3 Houston, which proved to be Tang’s final game on the Wildcats’ sideline.
Tang leaves Manhattan with a 71-57 overall record. Though a first-time head coach at Kansas State, he arrived with a decorated résumé as an assistant at Baylor, where he served on Scott Drew’s staff from 2003 to 2022.
During that span, the Bears made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, reached five Sweet 16s, advanced to three Elite Eights, and captured the 2021 National Championship.
Now, what began as one of the most promising coaching hires in recent program history ends amid controversy and the potential for a lengthy contractual battle.
Kansas State moves forward in its search for stability, while Tang prepares to defend both his reputation and a contract reportedly worth $18.67 million.