Kansas State's Jerome Tang named Naismith Coach of the Year

Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang has won the Naismith Coach of the Year Award, the organization announced on Sunday afternoon. Tang just completed not only his first season with the Wildcats, but his first as a head coach at any school.

Tang was hired by Kansas State to replace Bruce Weber ahead of this past season. Tang had previously been an assistant coach and associate head coach at Baylor under Scott Drew from 2003-2022. But once he arrived at Kansas State, Tang worked wonders.

The Wildcats had not gone to the NCAA Tournament for the last three years and were a combined 34-58 in those three seasons. In his first year, Tang took that program and led it to a 26-10 record and a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats made it all the way to the Elite Eight, taking down the likes of Kentucky and Michigan State along the way. But in the Elite Eight, Kansas State could not overcome Florida Atlantic and came up a win shy of the Final Four.

“I’m honored and blessed to receive the Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year Award,” Tang said in a release from the school. “There have been a lot of great coaching jobs this season and to be recognized among them is truly a humbling experience for me. I want to congratulate the other finalists — Coach (Matt) Painter, Coach (Kelvin) Sampson, Coach (Shaka) Smart for their tremendous years. I want to first thank my Lord and savior Jesus Christ for all the blessings in my life. I would not be where I’m at right now if it wasn’t for his faithfulness in my life and guidance.”

Not only did Tang coach his team to the Elite Eight but did so with a roster that he had to build from nearly scratch entering the season. Only two Kansas State players — Markquis Nowell and Ismael Massoud — were on the Wildcats’ roster prior to this season. Tang coached Nowell up to First Team All-Big 12 status, as well as a Third Team All-American selection while becoming one of the most popular stories of the NCAA Tournament.

Tang also landed former Florida star Keyontae Johnson out of the transfer portal before this year. Johnson had a stellar season for the Wildcats as well and also earned First Team All-Big 12 and Third Team All-American honors for his play on the floor.