The 2025-26 college basketball season still has almost two months to go, but this year’s coaching carousel got its first major spin Sunday — and it is a Big 12 coach who is the first casualty.
On Sunday evening, multiple outlets reported that Kansas State is firing head coach Jerome Tang, and the school officially announced the move a short time later.
Tang was widely considered to be on the hot seat, as Kansas State has just a 1-11 record in Big 12 play so far this season. However, there was a prevailing thought that Tang’s buyout of more than $18 million this year might lead Kansas State to retain him for at least another season.
To that point, though, multiple outlets reported that the school is firing Tang for cause, which would mean it wouldn’t have to pay his buyout.
In a statement announcing the firing, Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor said, “This was a decision that was made in the best interest of our university and men’s basketball program. 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.”
Generally coaches only get fired for cause for egregious behavior, but according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, there is language in Tang’s contract that says he can be fired for bringing “public disrepute, embarrassment, ridicule” to Kansas State.
Last week as Kansas State continued its downward slide on the court, Tang said in a postgame press conference of his players, “These dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform. 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 ridiculous … I have no answer. No words."
Numerous college basketball observers opined Sunday evening that there could be a negotiation between Kansas State and Tang to find a compromise for his buyout dollar figure.
In a statement released to numerous outlets, Tang said, “I am deeply disappointed with the university’s decision and strongly disagree with the characterization of my termination. I have always acted with integrity and faithfully fulfilled my responsibilities as head coach.
“I would like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the opportunity to serve as Head Coach at Kansas State. It has been one of the great honors of my life. I am grateful to the players, staff, and fans who make this program so special. I remain proud of what we built together and confident that I have always acted in the best interests of the university and our student-athletes.”
Tang, 59, was an assistant coach at Baylor for 19 years before getting hired at Kansas State in 2022. He had immediate success in leading the team all the way to the Elite Eight in 2023, but the program has been on a downward trajectory since then, missing the NCAA Tournament in 2024 and 2025 and then having an awful campaign now.