Eye On College Basketball: Emergency Episode – Jerome Tang Out at Kansas State

Date: February 16, 2026
Host: Matt Norlander (Gary Parrish out)
Theme: Immediate reaction and analysis to the sudden firing of Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang, contextualizing the decision amid the program's recent struggles and the broader landscape of college basketball.

Episode Overview

This emergency episode was recorded just hours after Kansas State announced the termination of head coach Jerome Tang. Matt Norlander provides real-time analysis, insight, and context around the firing, focusing on the contract, the fallout from Tang’s recent comments, Kansas State’s performance, and the pressures inherent to major college basketball in the current era.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Quick Context & Breakdown of the Firing (01:18–03:00)

• Norlander sets the scene, noting that this is the first emergency episode of the season and details the rapid timeline:
  • The news broke just hours after a regular episode where Tang was briefly discussed.
  • Interim coach is expected to be associate head coach Matthew Driscoll, but this has not been confirmed.
  • The team is in a meeting as of recording.

Quote:
"Jerome Tang is out, has not even gotten through four full seasons at Kansas State. He is being fired under the terms of cause for his job termination." (02:34, Norlander)

2. For-Cause Firing: Contract and Financial Stakes (03:00–05:00)

• Kansas State attempts to invoke “for cause,” likely on grounds of Tang bringing public disrepute, to avoid paying an $18–19M buyout.
• Norlander is skeptical Kansas State will avoid paying out altogether, predicting a legal settlement somewhere between $8–14M.
• Budget and money pressures have been central to K-State’s recent decision making.

Quote:
"Per the language of his contract, Kansas State … could fire him for cause, among other things, due to bringing, quote, public disrepute, embarrassment and ridicule, end quote, to the university." (03:30, Norlander)

3. “Why Now?”: Results, Spending, and Escalating Expectations (05:00–08:00)

• Kansas State was a “top 3-5” spender in the transfer portal in recent seasons, but that didn’t translate to wins.
• Tang’s tenure by season:
  • Year 1: Elite Eight run, immediate success.
  • Year 2: 19–15, missing NCAA tournament.
  • Year 3: 16–17, regressed further.
  • Year 4: 10–15 (at time of episode), 1–11 in Big 12, with worst loss record in decades.
• Key players brought in via the portal (Coleman Hawkins, Doug McDaniel, etc.) “didn’t hit.”
• The pressure to produce when big money is spent in the new NIL era is immense: "The more money that you are given, the more expectations there are. More money, more problems, unquestionably." (07:30, Norlander)

4. The Rant: The Catalyst for Cause (08:00–09:21)

• The key incident: Tang’s public comments after a recent loss went viral, becoming the justification for a “for cause” firing.

• Inserted Highlighted Clip (08:54–09:21):

  Jerome Tang:
  "No, I’m, I’m an embarrassed man. I’m, I’m embarrassed for our university. I’m embarrassed for our fans. I’m embarrassed for our student section. You know this. None of these dudes deserve to wear this uniform. And we got practice at 6am tomorrow morning and… folks this thing is going to get changed. Thanks a lot. God bless. Go Cats." (08:58–09:21, Tang)

• Norlander explains this “embarrassment” rant is what K-State believes meets the contract’s “public disrepute” clause, though he doubts it will fully relieve them of financial obligations.

5. Big Picture: Modern Coaching Pressures and Roster Dynamics (09:21–12:30)

• Norlander comments on broader challenges for coaches:
  • Constant roster turnover due to transfer portal
  • Unprecedented stress and scrutiny
  • Unpredictable outcomes despite major investments
• Coaches are under more pressure than ever and are paid well, but the job is relentless:
  • "The pressure on coaches… it’s just never been greater. The amount of intense stress that comes with the job…” (09:45, Norlander)
• Notes comparative situations: Another high-major (Chris Holtmann, Ohio State) fired around Valentine's Day two years earlier.

6. What’s Next for K-State? (Coaching Search Outline) (12:30–15:30)

• No candidates list yet; process will take weeks.
• Relates how in the new “revenue share era,” the biggest question for candidates is not facilities but: “How much do I have to work with? How much money are you setting me up to be competitive in this league on a national level?” (14:00, Norlander)
• Names mentioned by chat and Norlander, but he casts doubt on some options (e.g., Brad Underwood, Bob Huggins) and suggests Josh Schertz will be the most-coveted candidate nationally.
• Expects the search firm process to start, with diligence and agent outreach forming the initial steps.

7. The Human Element and Irony (15:30–16:20)

• Norlander acknowledges the “brutal” business: highs are high, lows are extremely low.
• Points out the irony: Tang is fired just two days before hosting Baylor, where he'd been a longtime assistant.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It went bad real quick for Tang. And a big picture thing for me...the more money you are given, the more expectations there are. More money, more problems, unquestionably.”
  — Matt Norlander (07:24)

• “This is now the second time in a three year span that we have had a high major coach fired on Valentine's weekend....Chris Holtmann at Ohio State. That was stunning when that happened. This one may be a little less stunning considering the comments by Tang, the response to that.”
  — Matt Norlander (08:10)

• Jerome Tang’s “embarrassed” comment, read above, is the episode’s emotional and narrative centerpiece (08:58–09:21)

Key Timestamps

• 01:18 – Emergency episode introduction and breaking news basics
• 02:34 – Details on firing and initial speculation on interim coach
• 03:30 – Explanation of “for cause” contract clause
• 05:00 – K-State’s spending and underwhelming on-court results
• 07:24 – Consequences of big spending and expectations
• 08:54 – Audio of Tang’s “embarrassed man” statement
• 09:45 – Commentary on modern coaching stress
• 12:30 – Outline of what’s ahead in the search and landscape
• 15:30 – Reflections on the brutality and irony of the firing

Tone & Language

• The episode’s tone is urgent yet conversational, with Matt Norlander delivering a rapid, detailed rundown. He interjects personal thoughts but sticks primarily to reporting, analysis, and big-picture perspective—no sugarcoating the brutality of the business, but plenty of context for fans and observers.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode delivers everything you need to understand the why, how, and what’s next of the Jerome Tang firing at Kansas State. Norlander explains not just the move itself, but the underlying pressures of the NIL/portal era, the glaring financial and results-based expectations, and points to the emotional fallout for fans and players alike. The episode is candid, analytically rich, and sets the stage for K-State’s high-stakes search ahead.