Sources: Jerome Tang out at K-State after rant, 1 Big 12 win - ESPN

Kansas State is firing men's basketball coach Jerome Tang for cause, sources told ESPN.

The school informed Tang of the decision Sunday night. The basis for the for cause firing, sources said, is language in his contract that references any activity that brings «public disrepute, embarrassment, ridicule» to Kansas State.

The Wildcats dropped to 1-11 in Big 12 play with a 78-64 loss at No. 3 Houston on Saturday. They played the game without player names on the back of their jerseys, three days after a rant by Tang following a blowout home loss to Cincinnati went viral.

«These dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform,» Tang said after Wednesday's loss. «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 ridiculous… I have no answer. No words.»

In 2023, Tang signed a contract extension through the 2029-30 season, and there is still nearly $19 million remaining on his contract.

Tang led Kansas State to the Elite Eight in his first year, winning 26 games — the program's most since Bruce Weber's first season in 2013. The Wildcats couldn't continue the momentum of Tang's first season, though, struggling in Big 12 play and missing the NCAA tournament in year two and then finishing 16-17 last season.

Kansas State bottomed out this season, sitting at 10-15 overall and tied for last place in the Big 12. Some of the fans in the student section of Bramlage Coliseum wore bags over their heads during the Wildcats' loss to Cincinnati.

Prior to taking over at Kansas State in 2022, Tang was an assistant coach under Scott Drew at Baylor for 20 seasons.

The Field of 68 first reported that Tang was out at Kansas State.