Former Kansas State coach Jerome Tang continues receiving outside support after being fired this past week.
The latest was veteran analyst Chris "Mad Dog" Russo, who said Tang's release from the program shouldn't have been on the premise of cause.
"Kansas State fired their head basketball coach because of what he said after a bad loss, and then said it's for cause," Russo said on First Take Wednesday morning. "They said they're not gonna pay him $18 million, which he gets with his buyout. These college players now, they're not 17-year-old freshmen who are there to go to chemistry class and play basketball. They're getting paid a fortune! They're getting paid two million dollars/year with NIL!"
Like many public voices, Russo didn't believe that Tang's words were harsh and even said that the player accountability was needed. The Wildcats had suffered their most embarrassing loss this season against Cincinnati, dropping their 10th Big 12 game in a season where they were anticipated to go back to the NCAA Tournament.
"Tang was annoyed about effort, responsibility, and only winning one [conference] game," Russo said. "He said, 'You know what? We're gonna have practice tomorrow at 6 o'clock. I'm embarrassed for the university, the team, my fanbase, and the student body.' He's 1,000 percent right."
And of course, the conversation about the impact of NIL deals on collegiate athletes resurfaced. Kansas State is one of the highest-spending teams in the country, which attracts outside accountability when the results aren't there.
"These players are pros now," Russo said. "The idea that you're an amateur goes out the window, you're making a fortune. For Kansas State to sit there and say, 'We're gonna fire him because he embarrassed the university, he picked on our players, we're not gonna pay him the $18 million,' pay the guy the money. You can afford it. Pay the guy the $18 million. You wanna fire him? Kick him out the door, but you pay him."
Kansas State won its first game in nearly a month over Baylor. A much-needed victory for the season's trajectory and the program's state. Wildcats coach Matthew Driscoll said Tang's words stuck with the team even after he departed.
"When Coach told us the news, he shared with us something very important. And because of his leadership and what he did, that’s why tonight transpired," Driscoll said in his Baylor postgame press conference. "Everything came to fruition tonight. He took us from here, and we went through a lot of tough things
Prepare for a long legal battle between Tang and the institution over the contract details.