Kansas State University Settles With Fired Coach for $12M

By Stephanie Francis Ward October 6, 2026, 11:38 am CDT Jerome Tang, the former head basketball coach at Kansas State University, recently reached a $12 million settlement with his former employer. (Photo by Nick Krug/The Associated Press) Kansas State University has reached a $12 million settlement with Jerome Tang, a former basketball coach who was fired in February. The agreement was reached Monday, ESPN reports . Tang is now an associate head coach at Baylor University, according to the article. Following a 29-point home loss to the University of Cincinnati, Tang told reporters that he was “embarrassed for the university,” that the players “do not deserve to wear this uniform,” and added that “there will be very few of them in it next year.” The school’s athletic director said the comments were justification for firing, but others wondered whether the school was trying to avoid paying Tang the $18.7 million contract buyout to which he was entitled if he was terminated without cause. This settlement allows both parties to move forward on agreed terms. Were grateful for his contributions to Kansas State basketball, including a memorable first season, and we wish him and his family well, said Gene Taylor, the Kansas State University athletic director, in a statement, according to ESPN. A Big 12 coach is dismissed for cause, and some question the university’s motives