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Manhattan Today
By the People, for the People
Kansas State Fires Basketball Coach Jerome Tang
Wildcats part ways with fourth-year coach amid ongoing struggles and viral postgame rant
Published on Feb. 16, 2026
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Kansas State has fired head men's basketball coach Jerome Tang, the school announced Sunday, ending the fourth season of his tenure amid ongoing struggles on the court and widespread criticism that followed a viral postgame rant. Tang's contract included an $18.675 million buyout, but the two sides are discussing terms to potentially lessen the payout.
Why it matters
Tang joined Kansas State in 2022 after a long assistant coaching career at Baylor, where he was part of the 2021 national title staff. His first season in Manhattan culminated in an Elite Eight appearance, but results began slipping as the team finished 16-17 overall and 9-11 in Big 12 play last season. This year, the Wildcats have struggled further, finishing 1-11 in conference games before the firing.
The details
Critics pointed to heavy roster turnover and a failure to integrate top transfers as factors in the team's underperformance. Despite one of the larger NIL budgets in college basketball, wins have been scarce. The decision to dismiss Tang followed national attention to his viral postgame news conference after a 91-62 home loss to Cincinnati earlier this week, where he criticized the players' effort.
- Kansas State announced the firing on Sunday, February 16, 2026.
- Tang joined the Wildcats in March 2022 after a long assistant coaching career at Baylor.
The players
Jerome Tang
The former head men's basketball coach at Kansas State, who was fired after four seasons with the program.
Josh Schertz
A potential candidate to replace Tang as the next head coach of the Kansas State Wildcats, known for his work as a program builder and for his defined offensive system.
What they’re saying
“This was embarrassing. These dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform. 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 just ridiculous.”
— Jerome Tang, Former Head Coach (ESPN)
What’s next
The Wildcats have several games remaining this season, including a challenging road trip against top-ranked opponents ahead. Interim coaching responsibilities are expected to be designated immediately, with the athletic department coordinating next steps for the program's search for a new head coach.
The takeaway
This move highlights the high expectations and pressure at a Power Five program like Kansas State, where a coach who initially found success can quickly fall out of favor amid a decline in on-court performance and heightened scrutiny from fans and media. The Wildcats will now look to find a new leader who can restore the program's competitiveness in the Big 12 Conference.
