Kansas State is finalizing a settlement that will pay former men’s basketball coach Jerome Tang $12 million, ESPN reported Thursday.
K-State fired Tang in February. The coach had $18.7 million left on his contract, but athletic director Gene Taylor and the university classified the firing as “for cause.”
In addition to questioning the program’s direction, Taylor cited postgame comments Tang made following a blowout loss to Cincinnati, which included, “These dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform. There will be very few of them in it next year. Like, I am embarrassed for the university. I am embarrassed for our fans, our student section. You know, it is just ridiculous.”
Tang issued a statement in reaction to his firing, disputing the for-cause characterization.
“I am deeply disappointed with the university’s decision and strongly disagree with the characterization of my termination,” Tang said in a statement. “I have always acted with integrity and faithfully fulfilled my responsibilities as head coach. … 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.”
Per ESPN’s report, Tang never formally filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Kansas State.
In three-plus seasons as the Wildcats’ head coach, Tang amassed a 73-57 record. His most notable accomplishment was taking the Wildcats to the Elite Eight in his first season, but they never returned to the NCAA Tournament.
This offseason, he returned to his previous role as the associate head coach at Baylor. He served on Baylor’s staff from 2003-22, being promoted from assistant to associate head coach in 2017. Tang helped head coach Scott Drew and the Bears win the 2020-21 national championship.
