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Kansas State Fires Basketball Coach Jerome Tang
Wildcats part ways with coach after failed NCAA Tournament bids and player criticism
Feb. 21, 2026 at 12:36am
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Kansas State has fired men's basketball head coach Jerome Tang after three seasons with the program. The Wildcats failed to reach the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons and had a 10-15 record with a 1-11 conference mark this year before Tang's dismissal. Athletic director Gene Taylor cited Tang's recent public comments and conduct, as well as the program's overall direction, as reasons for the decision.
Why it matters
Tang led Kansas State to the Elite Eight in his first season in 2022-23, but the team's performance declined sharply in the following two years. His public criticism of players after a blowout loss was seen as the final straw, leading the school to terminate his contract despite the remaining $18.7 million on his buyout.
The details
Kansas State is attempting to fire Tang 'for cause', which would invalidate the $18.7 million buyout in his contract. The school claims Tang's recent public comments and conduct, in addition to the team's poor performance, did not align with the university's standards for supporting student-athletes and representing the institution.
- Tang was hired as Kansas State's head coach in 2022.
- In his first season, the Wildcats reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
- Kansas State failed to make the NCAA Tournament the following two seasons.
- This season, the Wildcats had a 10-15 record with a 1-11 conference mark before Tang's dismissal.
The players
Jerome Tang
The former head coach of the Kansas State men's basketball team, who was fired after three seasons with the program.
Gene Taylor
The athletic director at Kansas State University, who announced the decision to part ways with head coach Jerome Tang.
What they’re saying
“This was a decision that was made in the best interest of our university and men's basketball program. 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.”
— Gene Taylor, Athletic Director, Kansas State University
What’s next
Kansas State is attempting to fire Tang 'for cause', which would invalidate the $18.7 million buyout in his contract. The school claims Tang's recent public comments and conduct, in addition to the team's poor performance, did not align with the university's standards.
The takeaway
This move by Kansas State highlights the increasing pressure on college basketball coaches to produce winning results and maintain a positive program culture. Tang's dismissal, despite leading the Wildcats to the Elite Eight in his first season, underscores the high expectations and short leashes that coaches face in the modern era of college sports.
