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Bill Self reacts after Kansas State coach Jerome Tang was fired for cause

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Feb 17, 2026 12:09 PM ET

On February 11, the Kansas State men’s basketball team lost to Cincinnati, 91-62.

After the game, Kansas State coach Jerome Tang went off on a fiery rant. Days later, Kansas State fired Tang “for cause,” meaning that the university could be off the hook for the $18.67 million remaining on Tang’s contract.

On Monday, Kansas Jayhawks coach Bill Self reacted to Tang being fired.

“I like Jerome & I hate to see when any coaches get let go. But I also know it’s big money and it’s big business,” Self said.

#KUbball coach Bill Self on the Jerome Tang firing at Kansas State: It really surprised me, with the timing and everything…

"I like Jerome & I hate to see when any coaches get let go. But I also know it's big money and it's big business."
— Matt Tait (@mctait) February 16, 2026

Here were Tang’s comments that went viral after the loss to Cincinnati:

“This was embarrassing,” Tang said. “These dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform, and there will be very few of them in it next year. I’m embarrassed for the university. I’m embarrassed for our fans, our student section. It is just ridiculous.”

Kansas State made a run to the Elite Eight in Tang’s first season in 2022-23, but the Wildcats failed to make an NCAA Tournament trip after that.

Self and the Jayhawks face off against Kansas State in the final game of the regular season on March 7 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kan.

Tang plans to fight the for-cause firing, so this situation could go on for some time.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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