KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas State University has decided to part ways with head men's basketball coach Jerome Tang.
Athletic Director Gene Taylor made the announcement Sunday that Tang is gone, effective immediately.
“This was a decision that was made in the best interest of our university and men’s basketball program," Taylor said in a news release. “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.”
Taylor said a national search for the next head coach will "begin immediately," and Matthew Driscoll, associate head coach, will take over as interim head coach.
The Wildcats are currently 10-15 overall and 1-11 in conference play.
After recent struggles on the court, including a 29-point loss to Cincinnati on Wednesday, Tang told reporters he had “no answer and no words” for what fans had to witness.
“These dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform,” Tang said in a postgame press conference. “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.”
To add insult to injury, many fans showed up to that game wearing paper bags over their heads.
“I’d wear a paper, too, if I were them,” Tang said.
When he first joined the Wildcats in 2022, Tang signed a six-year contract through 2027-28. Basketball analyst Jeff Goodman reports Tang has a buyout of more than 18 million, though terms are still being negotiated.
Tang is 71-57 overall with the Wildcats. While he managed to lead the team to the Elite Eight in 2023, the team has not made the NCAA Tournament since.
Before K-State, Tang spent 19 seasons with Baylor as an assistant and associate head coach.
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