With roughly a month remaining in the regular season, Kansas State Wildcats men’s basketball made a stunning decision that signals a major shift for the program. Head coach Jerome Tang has been dismissed after just under four seasons in charge. Assistant coach Matthew Driscoll will step in as interim head coach while the university begins its search for a permanent replacement.
Tang’s journey to Manhattan was anything but ordinary. Born in Trinidad and Tobago and raised in the Virgin Islands, he later put down roots in Texas. His coaching career began at the Texas high school level before he joined Scott Drew at Baylor Bears men’s basketball in 2003. Over the next 19 years, Tang served as Drew’s top assistant, playing a vital role in transforming Baylor into a national powerhouse and helping guide the Bears to a national championship.
Just one year after celebrating that title, Tang earned his first collegiate head coaching opportunity at Kansas State. His debut season exceeded expectations, as the Wildcats won 26 games and advanced to the Elite Eight. However, momentum faded quickly. The following two seasons resulted in ninth-place finishes in the Big 12, and at the time of his firing, the Wildcats were 10–15 overall with a 1–11 conference record.
Now, Kansas State turns its attention toward identifying new leadership. With the season still ongoing, additional candidates could emerge, but this marks the first major coaching vacancy of the cycle. It will be fascinating to see which direction the Wildcats’ administration chooses as they evaluate potential fits for the Big 12 program.
One experienced name is Casey Alexander, who has spent 15 years as a Division I head coach. After successful stops at Stetson and Lipscomb — including an NCAA Tournament appearance — he returned to Belmont Bruins men’s basketball in 2019. Since then, Belmont has posted six straight 20-win seasons and currently leads the Missouri Valley Conference. The question is whether Alexander is the right match for Kansas State’s ambitions.
Another rising coach is Jerrod Calhoun, who impressed at Fairmont State before revitalizing Youngstown State. Now at Utah State Aggies men’s basketball, he has nearly accumulated 50 wins in just two seasons and has the Aggies positioned for a possible Mountain West title and NCAA Tournament berth.
Bryan Hodgson is also gaining attention nationally. After serving under Nate Oats at Buffalo and Alabama, Hodgson launched his head coaching career at Arkansas State, winning 45 games in two seasons and claiming a Sun Belt regular-season title. Now at South Florida, he may be a candidate for a larger opportunity.
Veteran coach Chris Jans brings extensive experience, including successful tenures at New Mexico State and Mississippi State. He guided the Aggies to an NCAA Tournament victory and has led the Bulldogs to multiple tournament appearances. His familiarity with the region and proven track record could make him an appealing Big 12 fit.
Familiarity might also point to Ulric Maligi, a longtime assistant who previously worked under Tang at Kansas State. Though lacking head coaching experience, he has played a key role in recruiting and player development at several major programs, including Texas and Texas Tech.
Other intriguing names include Ryan Miller, who recently took over at Murray State after years as an assistant at Creighton; Erik Pastrana, a former Kansas State graduate assistant now building his résumé at Miami; and Josh Schertz, whose remarkable success at Indiana State and now Saint Louis has made him one of the hottest names in coaching circles.
Younger candidates such as Takayo Siddle, who has won consistently at UNC Wilmington, and Travis Steele, currently thriving at Miami (Ohio) after previous experience at Xavier, could also receive consideration.
As Kansas State evaluates its options, the program faces a pivotal moment. The next hire will determine whether the Wildcats can regain their early momentum under Tang or chart an entirely new course in the ever-competitive Big 12 landscape.