Jerome Tang breaks silence after being fired as Kansas State head coach originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Following a sixth consecutive loss on Saturday that dropped the Kansas State Wildcats men's basketball to 10-15 overall and 1-11 in Big 12 play, athletic director Gene Taylor announced the firing of head coach Jerome Tang for cause after comments he made earlier in the week following a blowout loss against Cincinnati.
According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, the basis for the for-cause firing stems from language in Tang’s contract referencing any activity that brings “public disrepute, embarrassment, ridicule” toward the university.
Tang is owed nearly $19 million over the remainder of his contract, and a for-cause termination would allow the Wildcats to avoid paying that buyout.
MORE: Jerome Tang buyout, contract details as Kansas State Wildcats coach
Breaking: Jerome Tang is out at Kansas State, sources told @PeteThamel.
— ESPN (@espn) February 16, 2026
With the terms of his departure being worked out, there is nearly $19 million still remaining on his contract. pic.twitter.com/5LjwtI4VIG
He is expected to challenge the decision and broke his silence in a statement to ESPN.
“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 spent nearly four seasons as the Wildcats’ head coach, and it was a dream start as they reached the Elite Eight in his first season.
Since then, however, they have not returned to the NCAA Tournament and were firmly on track to miss it again this year.