Manhattan, Kan.
The Jerome Tang era has come to an abrupt end at Kansas State.
On Sunday, the Wildcats decided to part ways with Tang even though six games remain in the regular season.
The move comes as a surprise, if only because of its timing. K-State athletic director Gene Taylor is not usually one to fire a coach in the middle of a season. But the end did seem near for Tang, as the losses have really piled up for the Wildcats this year.
“This was a decision that was made in the best interest of our university and men’s basketball program,” Taylor said in a statement. “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 confirmed at a news conference Sunday night that K-State is firing Tang “for cause.”
Tang could fight K-State’s decision in court. In a statement, he said he is “deeply disappointed” and “strongly” disagrees with the characterization of his firing.
The two sides could also agree to a settlement.
K-State (10-15, 1-11 Big 12) is currently in last place of the conference standings and off to its worst start ever in league play. It has lost six straight games. During that losing streak, the Wildcats lost three consecutive home games by at least 24 points.
Fans protested against Tang during the team’s past home game by wearing brown paper bags over their heads in the student section at Bramlage Coliseum. K-State lost that game 91-62 to Cincinnati, and Tang blasted his roster afterward, saying the players didn’t deserve to wear purple uniforms.
Taylor cited those comments as a major reason why Tang was being fired “for cause.”
Tang spent nearly four seasons in charge of the K-State men’s basketball team. He had an overall record of 71-57. He was hired to replace Bruce Weber in 2022, and he found immediate success in Year 1. He led the Wildcats to 26 victories and a trip to the Elite Eight that season.
After spending the previous two decades as an assistant coach at Baylor, it seemed like a star head coach was born.
The Wildcats rewarded Tang with a pair of contract extensions early in his tenure, which raised his current salary to $3.6 million. His buyout also ballooned to $18.7 million, which is what K-State would’ve owed Tang had he been fired without cause.
Tang turned out to be a one-hit wonder. K-State hasn’t reached the NCAA Tournament since 2022-23.
The program has declined every year. The Wildcats won 19 games in his second year as coach and then 16 games in Year 3. This season stands with just 10 wins under his watch.
His final game as head coach was a 78-64 loss at Houston on Saturday. When it was over, he seemed optimistic about the future.
“As a team, we’ve decided that we can either be the victims or the victor,” Tang said. “We’re choosing to be the victors, and that’s the approach they have. They have a really positive mindset.”
Turns out, the Wildcats are moving on without him.
This story was originally published February 15, 2026 at 6:42 PM.
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Kellis Robinett
The Wichita Eagle
Kellis Robinett covers Kansas State athletics for The Wichita Eagle and The Kansas City Star. A winner of more than a dozen national writing awards, he lives in Manhattan with his wife and four children.
