Attorneys for Jerome Tang have warned Kansas State that they will ’embarrass’ the Wildcats for firing the men’s basketball coach.
A legal war is brewing after Tang was dismissed ‘for cause’ in the wake of an astonishing rant at his players.
The 59-year-old was still owed nearly $19million on his contract but, after firing him for cause, Kansas State can argue it is not obliged to pay his buyout.
The basis for their decision, ESPN reported, is language in Tang’s contract about bringing ‘public disrepute, embarrassment, ridicule’ to the school.
Now, though, Tang is fighting his dismissal with the help of attorneys Tom Mars and Bennett Speyer. with Mars telling ESPN: ‘If K-State’s President and AD really think the school was embarrassed by recent events, that’s nothing compared to the embarrassment that both of them are about to experience.’
Mars did not specify what he was referring to but Tang has already expressed his ‘deep disappointment’ with the school’s decision to fire him. He took particular issue with ‘the characterization of my termination,’ telling ESPN: ‘I have always acted with integrity and faithfully fulfilled my responsibilities as head coach.’
Kansas State fired Jerome Tang ‘for cause’ after he lashed out at his Wildcats players
Kansas State can argue it is not obliged to pay his buyout after firing Tang for cause
Tang said he was ’embarrassed’ for the university after their blowout home loss to Cincinnati
Tang added that he is ‘confident that I have always acted in the best interests of the university and our student-athletes.’
Last week, following a fifth straight loss, the 59-year-old launched a blistering attack on his team, claiming: ‘This was embarrassing… these dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform. There will be very few of them in it next year.
He added: ‘I’m embarrassed for the university, I’m embarrassed for our fans, our student section. It is just ridiculous.’
Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor said their call to fire Tang ‘was a decision that was made in the best interest of our university and men’s basketball program.’
He continued: ‘Recent public comments and conduct, in addition to the program’s overall direction, have not aligned with K-State’s standards for supporting student-athletes and representing the university.
‘We wish Coach Tang and his family all the best moving forward.’
Tang, who was in his fourth season with the Wildcats, signed a contract extension through the 2029-30 season back in 2023, with $18.67m still remaining on that deal.
