K-State Wildcats Dismiss Men’s Basketball Coach Jerome Tang

Kansas State University has officially dismissed men’s basketball coach Jerome Tang amid a challenging season. The decision was made on a Sunday, with six regular-season games remaining. This unexpected move comes as a response to a series of poor performances by the Wildcats. K-State’s athletic director, Gene Taylor, rarely terminates coaches mid-season, making this announcement particularly notable.

Reasons for Dismissal

In a statement, Taylor emphasized that the decision was made in the “best interest” of both the university and the men’s basketball program. Key factors leading to Tang’s dismissal include:

• Recent losses, including a six-game losing streak.
• Public comments and conduct that contradicted K-State’s standards for supporting student-athletes.
• A significant decline in team performance, resulting in last place in the Big 12 Conference.

Jerome Tang’s Record at K-State

Jerome Tang’s tenure consisted of nearly four seasons. His overall record was 71 wins and 57 losses. He was appointed as head coach to replace Bruce Weber in 2022 and achieved notable success in his first year:

• 26 wins and a trip to the Elite Eight in his first season.
• Contract extensions that raised his salary to $3.6 million.
• A buyout clause of $18.7 million if he had been fired without cause.

However, the Wildcats’ performance declined sharply in subsequent seasons. The team went from 19 wins in his second year to 16 in his third year, and currently has only 10 wins this season (10-15, 1-11 in Big 12 play).

Fan Reactions and Future Direction

The fanbase has shown its dissatisfaction, with recent protests evidenced by supporters wearing paper bags over their heads during games. Following a significant 91-62 loss to Cincinnati, Tang expressed his frustration with his team, stating they did not merit wearing the team’s colors during that performance.

After the news of his firing, Tang expressed disappointment and disagreed with the reasons behind his termination. He may contest the decision legally. His last game as head coach resulted in a 78-64 defeat against Houston, where he had remained optimistic about the team’s potential.

As K-State prepares for the rest of the season, the focus shifts to finding a new coach to guide the program forward. The Wildcats aim to rebuild and regain their competitive edge in college basketball.