Kansas State Seeks New Basketball Coach After Firing Jerome Tang

Wildcats look to rebound after disappointing 4-year tenure under former Baylor assistant

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Kansas State has fired head basketball coach Jerome Tang midway through his fourth season, opening up a high-profile coaching job in the Big 12 Conference. The Wildcats are expected to target experienced head coaches, with names like Josh Schertz of Saint Louis, Jerrod Calhoun of Utah State, and Ben Jans of Mississippi State among the top candidates to replace Tang.

Why it matters

Kansas State has embraced the NIL era and shown a willingness to pay top dollar for talent, making this an attractive job despite the challenges of the ultra-competitive Big 12 Conference. The next coach will have resources to quickly rebuild the roster, but will also face pressure to win in one of college basketball's toughest leagues.

The details

Tang was fired for cause after a viral postgame rant following a blowout loss to Cincinnati, with Kansas State reportedly negotiating his $18.7 million buyout. The Wildcats went 45-47 overall and 18-32 in Big 12 play under Tang, a disappointing run after his debut team earned a No. 3 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

  • Kansas State fired Jerome Tang on Sunday, February 16, 2026.
  • Tang's Wildcats lost 91-62 at home to Cincinnati on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.

The players

Jerome Tang

The former Baylor assistant who was fired as Kansas State's head coach midway through his fourth season.

Josh Schertz

The head coach at Saint Louis, considered one of the top candidates to replace Tang at Kansas State.

Jerrod Calhoun

The head coach at Utah State, another top mid-major candidate expected to be in the mix for the Kansas State job.

Ben Jans

The head coach at Mississippi State, a veteran coach with experience in the Midwest who could be a target for Kansas State.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.