Kansas State men’s basketball is navigating a challenging season, currently sitting at 6-5 after a tough loss to Wichita State—a defeat that ended the Wildcats’ dominance over the Shockers since 2001. However, there’s one key reason K-State fans shouldn’t lose hope: Jerome Tang. Known for thriving under pressure, Tang is the kind of coach who turns adversity into opportunity, and he’s determined to steer the Wildcats back to success.

But beyond his coaching prowess, have you ever wondered what Tang’s impressive success has earned him in financial terms? His contract is one of the most intriguing in college basketball. Let’s take a closer look at the numbers and explore why his deal stands out in the world of NCAA hoops.

Kansas State’s million-dollar coach

Jerome Tang’s leadership has brought hope and excitement to Manhattan, Kansas, and his resume is glowing. Well, so does his bank account. The program isn’t taking any chances when it comes to Tang. Back in September, the university handed him a shiny new seven-year contract that runs through the 2029-30 season. 

Here’s the breakdown of Tang’s annual salary under the new deal:

• 2023–24 season: $3 million
• 2024–25 season: $3.5 million
• 2025–26 season: $3.6 million
• 2030–31 season: $4.1 million

And that’s just the base salary. On top of that, Tang is set to receive a $200,000 retention bonus every year he stays with K-State, paid out on May 31. If he hits all the performance bonuses in his contract, the total value of the deal could climb to $28 million. When Tang signed the deal, he was full of excitement. 

“My family and I could not be more excited about the future with this commitment,” he said. “I say it all the time and I truly mean it—we’re fortunate every day to be at such a special place. I didn’t come here to rebuild but to elevate, and the work has already begun.”

Moreover, Tang’s contract doesn’t just come with a hefty salary; it’s also packed with high-stakes clauses. If Tang decides to leave for another coaching job after this season, he’ll owe K-State $6 million. That buyout decreases by $1 million every year and eventually disappears after the 2028–29 season.

Meanwhile, if Kansas State decides to fire Tang without cause, they’ll owe him over $15 million. That amount drops by about $2.5 million annually. Basically, both sides are locked into this deal, and walking away won’t come cheap.

This setup and offer shows how much faith K-State has in Tang. “What Coach Tang and his staff did in their first year here was phenomenal,” said K-State athletic director Gene Taylor. “The run to the Elite Eight was remarkable, but what separates Coach Tang is his pure love of his players and the relationships he builds with everyone he encounters. He is the perfect fit for Kansas State.”

Jerome Tang: A rookie coach with a veteran’s success

When Kansas State hired Jerome Tang in 2022, some people weren’t sure what to expect. After all, this was his first head coaching gig. But Tang wasted no time proving he was the real deal. In his debut season, the Wildcats went 26-10, reached the top five in the AP poll, and notched huge wins against basketball powerhouses like Kansas, Texas, Baylor, and Iowa State. Tang’s crew opened the season with 15 wins in their first 16 games—a start that nobody saw coming. And then there was the NCAA tournament. Kansas State entered as a No. 3 seed in the East Region and made a magical run to the Elite Eight. 

Along the way, they took down Montana State, Kentucky, and Michigan State before falling to Florida Atlantic. And the coach’s efforts didn’t get noticed. He was named the Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year, beating out heavyweights like Matt Painter (Purdue), Kelvin Sampson (Houston), and Shaka Smart (Marquette). “I’m honored and blessed to be named the Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s Coach of the Year,” Tang said. “There have been a lot of great coaching jobs this season, and to be recognized among them is truly a humbling experience for me.”

He continued, “I want to first thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for all the blessings in my life. I also want to thank our players and staff. I’m blessed and honored that I get to live life with these incredible men and women every day.”

But truly, winning the Naismith in his first season must be a mic-drop moment for him. Sure, the Wildcats’ form is not the same this year, but Jerome is not the one who let setbacks define him. He’s already hit the transfer portal hard, bringing in nine new players and one of the best recruiting classes in the country. 

“I said before I didn’t come here to rebuild but to elevate,” Tang reiterated. “Last year’s success was just the start. The staff and I are excited about what’s ahead for this team as we start practice.” But all in all, the team’s future looks bright. This is a coach who’s not afraid to take risks and do whatever it takes to bring success to Manhattan. So, let’s see what magic he creates in the long run!