Former Kansas State basketball star Markquis Nowell, who starred on the Wildcats’ 2023 Elite Eight team, publicly criticized his alma mater for firing head coach Jerome Tang for cause. Over the weekend, reports indicated that Tang was being dismissed for allegedly violating his employment contract by publicly criticizing his players after a blowout home loss to Cincinnati.
Kansas State Athletic Director Gene Taylor confirmed that Tang’s comments were deemed inconsistent with the university’s standards for supporting student-athletes and representing the institution. Tang has hired attorney Tom Mars to pursue his full $18.7 million buyout, sparking backlash on social media. Nowell voiced strong disapproval, agreeing with ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg that the firing was “embarrassing” and insisting that Tang had done nothing wrong beyond holding his players to high standards. On social media, Nowell wrote, “I truly agree with you Seth! Coach Tang said nothing wrong…this is a disgrace!” and later emphasized his disappointment, urging the university to honor Tang’s contract. Tang’s tenure included a 71–57 record over three-plus seasons, highlighted by the 2022–23 Final Four run, but recent struggles including a 10–15 overall record and 1–11 in Big 12 play contributed to his dismissal.
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