Kansas State Fires Coach Jerome Tang After Devastating Home Loss

College basketball rarely sleeps, and drama rarely waits. Kansas State learned that the hard way after a brutal home defeat lit a fuse that burned fast and hot.

On February 11, 2026, the Kansas State Wildcats suffered a crushing 91 to 62 loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats. The loss dropped the Wildcats to 1-10 in Big 12 play, and frustration spilled over in front of cameras and microphones.

Head coach Jerome Tang called the performance “embarrassing” and questioned which players deserved to wear the uniform next season. His comments spread across social media within minutes and fueled outrage across Manhattan, Kansas.

Just four days later, the university pulled the plug.

The Blowout Loss Changed Everything

The News / The loss to Cincinnati did not happen in isolation. Kansas State had been sliding for weeks, and confidence inside Bramlage Coliseum had thinned with every defeat.

This program reached the Elite Eight only three years ago, and fans still remembered that run. Watching the team sit near the bottom of the Big 12 standings felt like a gut punch.

Tang’s postgame remarks made things worse. He said he felt embarrassed for the university and for the fans who packed the arena. He also warned that very few players would return next year.

The next game added another strange layer. When the Wildcats faced Houston, player names were missing from the backs of their jerseys. The message seemed clear, and the tension felt thick.

The “For Cause” Decision and the $19 Million Question

ESPN / On February 15, 2026, athletic director Gene Taylor announced that Jerome Tang had been fired “for cause.”

That distinction carries serious weight. Tang had nearly $18.67 million remaining on his contract, which ran through the 2029 to 2030 season. If Kansas State had fired him for poor performance alone, the university would likely owe most of that money. By firing him for cause, the school argues that Tang breached his contract and forfeited the buyout.

According to reports from ESPN, Tang’s contract includes language that bars actions bringing public disrepute, embarrassment, or ridicule to the university. Taylor said Tang’s comments about his players and the reaction to those comments forced his hand.

Taylor made it clear that he felt Tang’s public criticism crossed a line. He said the remarks did not align with Kansas State’s standards for supporting student athletes.

Tang Fights Back, and Lawyers Get Involved

Jerome Tang did not accept the university’s reasoning quietly. He released a statement saying he strongly disagreed with the characterization of his termination.

Tang hired high-profile attorneys Tom Mars and Bennett Speyer. Mars wasted no time firing a warning shot, saying the embarrassment facing Kansas State would pale in comparison to what could come next.

Mars indicated they would give the university a short window to reconsider before filing a lawsuit. That statement alone shifted the story from sports to legal headlines. Now the focus turns to courtrooms and contract language. Legal experts say cases like this often hinge on narrow definitions and internal communications.

Did Tang’s comments truly violate the contract in a clear and provable way? Or did the university stretch the language to escape a massive payout? Those questions will shape the next chapter.