Wildcat Coaching Search: Three Names Emerge as K-State Battles Through the Finish Line
Gene Taylor’s Shortlist Revealed as the Cats Stun West Virginia Without PJ Haggerty
The Kansas State coaching search has officially entered a new phase. In the latest edition of 3MAW, John Kurtz, Derek Young, and Cole Manbeck dive into the high-stakes ripples caused by Pete Nakos’ (On3) recent bombshell report.
As K-State Athletic Director Gene Taylor narrows the field, three names have surged to the top of the “Hot Board”: Josh Schertz (Saint Louis), Jerrod Calhoun (Utah State), and Casey Alexander (Belmont).
The crew breaks down what each candidate brings to the table—from Schertz’s tactical brilliance to Alexander’s decade of 20-win consistency—while grappling with the “similar flavors” of this year’s coaching pool. Is there a home-run hire in the bunch, or is this a search defined by “high-floor” reliability?
On the court, the Wildcats provided a rare bright spot Tuesday night, fending off a desperate West Virginia squad 65-63.
Despite being without the nation’s third-leading scorer, PJ Haggerty (unexpectedly scratched with a practice injury), seniors Khamari McGriff and Nate Johnson put the team on their backs in their Bramlage finale.
The guys discuss if the ball movement actually improved without their star guard and what this means heading into a daunting Saturday showdown at Allen Fieldhouse.
Key Takeaways
The Final Three? Pete Nakos reports that Josh Schertz, Jerrod Calhoun, and Casey Alexander are the primary names to watch. The crew debates if Alexander’s Nashville roots make him a “wild card” or a serious contender.
Life Without Haggerty: K-State snapped a three-game skid by leaning on a season-high 21-0 run. The guys analyze whether this “addition by subtraction” in ball-stopping is a fluke or a blueprint for the Big 12 Tournament.
The Lawrence Outlook: With Senior Day looming at Kansas, the guys look ahead to Saturday’s rivalry game and whether K-State has any “magic” left to spoil the Jayhawks’ perfect Senior Day record.