Kansas State is reportedly shelling out $12 million to former men’s basketball coach Jerome Tang, settling a legal battle that’s been dragging on for more than seven months since his firing. This isn’t just a routine payout; it’s a huge chunk of change that K-State tried desperately to avoid, only to come up short.
The Fight Over Firing “For Cause”
The Wildcats decided to cut ties with Tang back in February, ending his four-year run where he put up a 71-57 record and made one NCAA Tournament appearance in his very first season. But here’s where it gets spicy: Kansas State didn’t just fire him. They tried to fire him “for cause,” a move designed to wiggle out of the whopping $18.7 million buyout he was owed from his contract. Why would they go to such lengths? They pointed to comments Tang made right after what turned out to be his second-to-last game.
Those Words That Cost Millions
The specific incident that sparked all this drama? A brutal 91-62 drubbing at home against unranked Cincinnati. Tang was not happy, and he didn’t hold back in the post-game presser. He lambasted his team, telling reporters, “This was embarrassing. These dudes did not deserve to wear this uniform. There will be very few in it next year. I’m embarrassed for the university, I’m embarrassed for our fans, our student section. We have practice at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning. We will get this thing right. I have no answers and no words.” Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor jumped on those comments, claiming they brought “embarrassment” and caused a “negative reaction from a lot of sources, both nationally and locally.” Taylor said that was enough to fire Tang for cause. Well, Tang immediately promised to fight for his money, and it looks like he won big time, walking away with the vast majority of that buyout. He’s currently an assistant coach for Baylor under Scott Drew, so he’s still on the sidelines, but now with a fat check from his old stomping grounds.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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