By Dewey Terrill
JC Post
Jerome Tang was introduced as the 25th men's head basketball coach at Kansas State University today.
During a press conference at Bramlage Coliseum he made it clear this is not a rebuilding job at Kansas State, saying this is just the start of some big things that will happen. "With everyone's help, with all of the K-State family. Wildcat nation, we're going to accomplish great things together and it's not going to take long. It is not going to take long. I didn't come to rebuild, alright, came to elevate." Tang said the Wildcats will play smart and aggressive.
Tang remembered KSU Athletic Director Gene Taylor's comments. "He looked me in the eyes and he said, look Jerome I want you to be my head coach of our basketball program and I trust you that you're going to do the right thing and help us win. I feel it in all my heart." During the press conference Tang thanked Taylor for those comments.
Tang spent the past 19 years at Baylor on both the winning and losing sides in ballgames. "What I really remember is the ( K-State ) student body. I remember how it was to come watch them running in and I remember them tearing up the paper, throwing it up in the air and going man, that's so cool." Tang added the environment at the games are things you remember.
Tang, 55, has agreed to a 6-year contract, which was approved by the K-State Athletics, Inc., Board of Directors and President Richard Linton. Tang will be paid $2.1 million in 2022-23 and will receive a $100,000 base salary increase each year remaining on the contract ($2.2 million in 2023-24, $2.3 million in 2024-25, $2.4 million in 2025-26, $2.5 million in 2026-27 and $2.6 million in 2027-28).
During his time at Baylor, Tang has helped the Bears post a 397-222 (.641) overall record, including a 168-155 (.520) mark in Big 12 play, to go with 13 postseason appearances (10 NCAA Tournaments, 3 NITs), one NCAA title (2021), one NIT title (2013) and one NIT runner-up finish (2009).