With Jerome Tang Fired, Who is Favored to be the Next Head Coach for Kansas State in 2026-2027? Who Should Replace Jerome Tang in 2026?
Full Story on Tang Being Fired as Kansas State’s Head Coach
When the Wildcats snapped their four-year NCAA Tournament appearance drought in 2023, their future looked bright. But unfortunately, Kansas State has not achieved that same success since that magical run during the 2022-2023 campaign. To make matters worse, the program is on the verge of its second straight losing record. Following Saturday’s road loss vs. #3 Houston, the 10-16 men’s basketball team fired Jerome Tang after four seasons as head coach. Lead assistant Matthew Driscol will take over the Manhattan, KS-based school on an interim basis. Tang recently called out his players’ performance following a blowout loss at home vs. Cincinnati on Wednesday 91-62.
At the time of the decision, the Wildcats entered Monday on a six-game losing streak. Since the Big 12 conference play began, Kansas State lost eleven of its twelve contests. Perhaps the college basketball squad’s biggest win of this season so far came on November 20, where they defeated Mississippi State to advance to the Hall of Fame Classic Championship Game. In fifteen games during the 2025-2026 season, the defense gave up 80 points or more per contest. On the other side, the offense has only scored 70 points or less per contest in ten games this year. Tang became the second men’s basketball head coach to be fired after Kansas City parted ways with Marvin Menzies back in January.
Jerome Tang’s Career with the Kansas State Wildcats
Tang took over as the leading man in Manhattan in 2022 after the retirement of Bruce Weber. In his first season, the former guided the Wildcats to the 2023 Elite Eight. That surprising run was Kansas State’s first postseason victory since 2018. The team is seeking its first Final Four appearance since the 1963-1964 campaign. Most importantly, the Wildcats want to play in the National Championship Game for the first time since losing to Kentucky in 1951. Overall, Tang compiled a 71-57 record and 29-39 in the Big 12 Conference.
Before joining Kansas State, Tang served as the associate head coach for Baylor from 2017 until 2022. Under the direction of Scott Drew, the Bears won the 2021 National Championship thanks to their victory vs. Gonzaga. Tang also helped Baylor reach six NCAA Tournament appearances. Prior to his promotion to associate head coach, Tang was an assistant for the Bears from 2003 until 2017. In that span, the Texas-based school won the 2013 NIT Championship and played in four Sweet 16 rounds. Baylor also took part in the 2009 NIT National Title Game as well as seven March Madness trips.
What’s Next for the Kansas State Wildcats?
Many Wildcats college basketball fans might wonder: Who is the leading candidate to replace Jerome Tang in 2026? The top coaches in consideration listed in this article have prior coaching experience. In addition, those candidates have been on the coaching staff for at least five years. Please refer to the information below for the list of top candidates to replace Tang as Kansas State Wildcats Head Coach!
Possible Candidates to Replace Jerome Tang as Kansas State HC
Internal Candidates
Matthew Driscoll-Kansas State
- Wyoming Assistant Coach (1997-1998)
- Clemson Assistant Coach (1998-2003)
- Valparaiso Assistant Coach (2003)
- Baylor Assistant Coach (2003-2009)
- North Florida HC (2009-2025)
- Kansas State Associate HC (2025-2026)
- Kansas State Interim HC (2026-Present)
- Led Ospreys to NCAA Tournament in 2015
- Also Took North Florida to NIT Tournament in 2016
Top Head Coach Candidates for Kansas State Wildcats to Consider
Travis Steele-Miami-OH
- Wabash Valley Assistant Coach (2005-2006)
- Indiana Assistant Coach (2006-2008)
- Xavier Assistant Coach (2009-2015)
- Musketeers Associate HC (2015-2018)
- Xavier HC (2018-2022)
- Miami-OH HC (2022-Present)
- 25-0 Record with RedHawks This Season
- Guided Miami-OH to 2025 MAC Championship Game
- 2 NIT Tournament Appearances with Musketeers
Takayo Siddle-UNC Wilmington
- Hargrave Military Academy Assistant Coach (2009-2010)
- Gardner-Webb Assistant Coach (2010-2014)
- UNC Wilmington Assistant Coach (2014-2017)
- NC State Assistant Coach (2017-2020)
- UNC Wilmington HC (2020-Present)
- 19-4 Record with Seahawks This Season
- Won CAA Conference Title with UNC Wilmington in 2025
- Also Helped Seahawks Reach NCAA Tournament in 2025
Jerrod Calhoun-Utah State
- Cincinnati Student Assistant (2003-2004)
- Walsh Assistant Coach (2004-2007)
- West Virginia Assistant Coach (2007-2012)
- Fairmont State HC (2012-2017)
- Youngstown State HC (2017-2024)
- Utah State HC (2024-Present)
- 22-3 Record with Aggies This Season
- Took Utah State to NCAA Tournament in 2025
- Led Penguins to NIT Tournament in 2023
- Guided Falcons to 2017 Division II National Title Game
- 3 Division II NCAA Tournament Appearances
Ben Jacobson-Northern Iowa
- North Dakota Assistant Coach (1993-2000)
- North Dakota State Assistant Coach (2000-2001)
- Northern Iowa Assistant (2001-2006)
- Northern Iowa HC (2006-Present)
- 16-10 Record with Panthers This Season
- 2 Missouri Valley Conference Titles
- 4 NCAA Tournament Trips
- 3 NIT Tournament Berths
Leading Candidate to Replace Jerome Tang as Wildcats HC in 2026
Josh Schertz-Saint Louis
- Lynn Assistant Coach (1999-2001)
- Queens-NC Associate HC (2001-2003)
- High Point Associate HC (2003-2008)
- Lincoln Memorial HC (2008-2021)
- Indiana State HC (2021-2024)
- Saint Louis HC (2024-Present)
- 21-1 Record with Billikins This Season
- Took Railsplitters to 2016 Division II National Title Game
- 3 Division II Final Four Appearances with Lincoln Memorial
- 9 NCAA Division II Tournament Trips
- Guided Sycamores to 2024 NIT Championship Game
Candidates to Replace Marvin Menzies as Kansas City HC
Thanks for reading the List of Candidates to Replace Jerome Tang as Kansas State HC! We hope this article helped! Please feel free to read our other articles and follow us on X and Facebook for more!
