Kansas State coach Jerome Tang was fired nearly a month ago.
It feels like ages ago now, as one of the nation's biggest storylines unfolded after a barrage of chaotic events. The organization is still looking for its next leader to hopefully shift the direction and get Kansas State back to the Tournament glory it should've had the past few seasons.
Matthew Driscoll has been holding down the fort for the rest of the season, but the team will inevitably need a more solidified option. College basketball analyst Jeff Goodman listed the primary coaches that Kansas State has been looking at to be the next in line: Josh Schertz, Jerrod Calhoun, and Casey Alexander. Though since this list was released, Schertz has reportedly declined the position, per CBS insider Matt Norlander.
Regardless, here are brief looks at the top candidates:
1. Jerrod Calhoun (Utah State)
Head coaching record: 290-154
Past schools: Youngstown State (2017-24), Fairmont State (2012-17)
Calhoun translated his success at Youngstown State to the Mountain West, going 48-11 so far through two seasons. His NCAA DII Tournament success at Fairmont State could be attractive to a Wildcats team looking to translate that to DI success.
2. Casey Alexander (Belmont)
Head coaching record: 302–178
Past schools: Lipscomb (2013–19), Stetson (2011–13)
Alexander has manned the fort well in Belmont, placing in the top four in the conference at least every season. A few Tournament appearances in his coaching career are definitely something that could catch athletic director Gene Taylor's eye.
3. Josh Schertz (St. Louis)
Head coaching record: 446–125
Past schools: Indiana State (2021-24), Lincoln Memorial (2008-21)
Schertz's DII success, going 18–9 in the Tournament in his veteran career, has poured over into establishing St. Louis as one of the top mid-major teams. He is a seven-time South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Coach of the Year, besting the conference nine times and winning the SAC Tournament five times.
4. Alan Huss (Creighton)
Head coaching record: 302–178
Past schools: High Point (2023-25)
As a relatively new head coach, Huss had strong success at High Point, topping the Big South both of his seasons and making the postseason in just his second year. He is anticipated to take the head coaching position at Creighton when Greg McDermott retires, but he could spend some time with the reins in Manhattan, KS, instead.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Ben Jacobson (Northern Iowa)
Head coaching record: 374–246
Bob Richey (Furman)
Head coaching record: 200–93
Takayo Siddle (UNC Wilmington)
Head coaching record: 132–52
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