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Jerome Tang after a Big 12 game between the Iowa State Cyclones and Kansas State Wildcats on Feb. 1, 2026
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NEED TO KNOW
- Jerome Tang, the head basketball coach at Kansas State University, has been fired after describing his team's recent defeat as "embarrassing"
- In a press conference after the Wildcats lost to the Cincinnati Bearcats on Feb. 11, Tang said that the players didn't "deserve to wear this uniform" and said he had "no words" about the loss
- "Recent public comments and conduct ... have not aligned with K-State's standards for supporting student-athletes and representing the university," the school's athletic director said
Kansas State University has fired head basketball coach Jerome Tang after he described his team as "embarrassing" amid a disappointing season.
The coach for the Kansas State Wildcats attracted national media attention after berating his players during a Wednesday, Feb. 11, press conference following the team's 91-62 loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats.
"This was embarrassing," Tang said of the loss, adding, "These dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform, and 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.”
At the time, the coach, who was in his fourth season at the university, said that he had "no words" to respond to the loss, describing the situation as "just ridiculous" and admitting that he was "pissed."
"These dude's got to have some pride, man. It means something to wear a K-State uniform. It means something to put on this purple, man. Like, everything this university is about and all that it's been about," he said. "They don't love this place, so they don't deserve to be here."
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Jerome Tang of the Kansas State Wildcats during a game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bramlage Coliseum on Feb. 26, 2024 in Manhattan, Kan.
Peter G. Aiken/Getty
Kansas State's athletics director Gene Taylor confirmed that Tang was out as head coach in a Sunday, Feb. 15, press release, which also announced associate head coach Matthew Driscoll would be stepping up as interim head coach.
"This was a decision that was made in the best interest of our university and men's basketball program," Taylor said.
He continued, "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."
ESPN reported that the university was pursuing a for-cause firing, with sources alleging to the outlet that the basis for such action would be language in the former coach's contract referencing any activity bringing "public disrepute, embarrassment, ridicule" to the university.
If the school can proceed with the decision, they won't need to pay Tang the remaining $18.67 million on his contract, which was set to last through 2030.
In a statement shared with ESPN, Tang said he was "deeply disappointed with the university's decision and strongly disagree[d] with the characterization of my termination."
"I have always acted with integrity and faithfully fulfilled my responsibilities as head coach," he told the outlet.
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Kansas State Wildcats fans wear paper bags over their heads during a game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Bramlage Coliseum on Feb. 11, 2026 in Manhattan, Kan
Peter G. Aiken/Getty
Continuing, he said, "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."
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The Wildcats went on to lose their Saturday, Feb. 14, game against the Houston Cougars, taking their record to 10 wins and 15 losses for the season. With only one win and 11 losses in the Big 12, the team is currently in last place in the league.
During the Feb. 11 game, fans in the stands wore paper bags over their heads, with some of them calling for Tang to be fired. Asked about the decision during his press conference, the coach said, "I'd wear a paper bag, too, if I was them."
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