Kansas State parted ways with Jerome Tang after last season's disappointing finish in basketball
The Kansas State Wildcats parted ways with basketball coach Jerome Tang after last season.
But the breakup never finalized Tang's final payment. Apparently, both parties have come to an agreement. According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, the Wildcats are finalizing a deal to pay Tang $12 million by the end of 2027. There was $18 million left on his contract.
Tang was considered the future leader of the Wildcats program when he was hired for the 2022-23 season. It started strong that first season when he led K-State to a 26-10 record that ended with a Sweet 16 appearance and No. 15 ranking in the final Associated Press poll.
Then things quickly started to sour.
Under Tang, the Wildcats compiled a high-priced NIL-filled roster that included Illinois Fighting Illini transfer Coleman, who reported join the team for $2 million. The high expectations quickly faded. The Wildcats finished just 19-15 and missed the playoffs despite the high-profile transfers.
It only got worse the following year when the Wildcats had the first of consecutive losing seasons, finishing 16-17. After the Wildcats ended 10-15 last season, the administration had enough. He was fired shortly after the season.
Tang has since returned as an assistant coach for the Baylor Bears, where he was once a successful interim coach before he joined the Wildcats.
With Tang off the books, the Wildcats are now focused fully on getting acclimated to new coach Casey Alexander. After helping turn Belmont into a small-school power, he has the tough challenge of returning the K-State program to its winning ways.
It won't be easy because Alexander has a roster full of mostly new players. It will likely take at least one or maybe even two seasons before he can start showing signs of improvement.
The Wildcats open the season Nov. 3 at home against South Dakota State.
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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of KStateRoundtable. He can be reached at [email protected]
