Gene Taylor Urges K-State to Dismiss Coach Jerome Tang
In a significant move, Kansas State’s Athletic Director Gene Taylor has urged the dismissal of head coach Jerome Tang after a series of controversial remarks. Tang, who had a record of 71-57, faced criticism for comments made following a heavy loss to Cincinnati. This decision comes as K-State struggles, on the brink of missing the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year.
Background on Jerome Tang’s Tenure
Jerome Tang was hired in 2022, stepping in to replace Bruce Weber. In his first season, he led the Wildcats to an impressive 26 wins and a trip to the Elite Eight. This success earned him contract extensions that increased his salary to $3.6 million and included an $18.7 million buyout clause.
Performance Decline
However, the subsequent seasons saw a decline in performance:
- Year 2: 19 wins
- Year 3: 16 wins
- Year 4: Currently at 10 wins
As a result, the K-State Wildcats now find themselves likely to miss the NCAA Tournament again.
The Final Straw
The catalyst for Taylor’s decision was Tang’s remarks about his players following a 91-62 defeat at home to Cincinnati. He controversially suggested that some players did not warrant wearing the team’s purple uniforms. Taylor stated, “His comments about the student-athletes really concerned me.”
Timing and Reaction
This decision was surprising, particularly since Taylor had previously supported Tang. The firing occurred while K-State was engaged in a game against Houston, which ended in a 78-64 loss. Taylor explained that he needed to finalize the decision with university president Richard Linton before officially terminating Tang.
After the official news broke, Tang met with his players, who were understandably emotional. Taylor acknowledged the mixed feelings among the team members, advising them that if they felt angry, it should be directed at him. He urged them to finish the season strong.
Interim Leadership and Future Directions
Following Tang’s dismissal, Matthew Driscoll has been named the interim coach. Taylor is now focused on guiding the K-State program back to its previous level of success. The challenges ahead are clear, but the direction of the men’s basketball team will be under scrutiny as they aim to rebuild following this tumultuous change.
