Kansas State Hires Casey Alexander as Basketball Coach
The veteran coach takes over the Wildcats program following a challenging 12-20 season under former coach Jerome Tang.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Basketball
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Kansas State has officially hired Casey Alexander as its new men's basketball head coach. Alexander replaces Jerome Tang, who was fired after the team finished the 2025-26 season with a 12-20 record.
Why it matters
The program seeks to rebound after suffering its worst conference record since the 1999-2000 season. Kansas State aims to restore stability by leveraging Alexander's consistent track record of success.
Casey Alexander enters the role with a streak of winning at least 20 games in 10 consecutive seasons. The team recently finished 3-15 in Big 12 conference play, marking their fewest conference wins in over two decades.
The players
Casey Alexander
He is the newly appointed head coach of Kansas State who previously led programs at Stetson, Lipscomb, and Belmont.
Jerome Tang
He is the former head coach of Kansas State whose tenure ended after the team struggled during the 2025-26 season.
The details
Alexander has overhauled the roster through graduation and the addition of 10 Division I transfers, including Brandon Rechsteiner, Jaden Schutt, Pape N'Diaye, and JT Rock. The team looks to improve its frontcourt depth with additions like the 7-foot N'Diaye and 7-foot-1 Rock.
Timeline
The 1999-2000 season saw the team previously reach a low of three conference wins.
The 2021 season was the previous lowest point for the program before the recent downturn.
Jaden Schutt played at Duke from 2022 to 2024 before transferring to Kansas State.
Kansas State finished the 2025-26 season with a final record of 12-20.
The coaching change was announced in October 2026.
Season Trajectory
This hiring marks a definitive break from the Jerome Tang era as the program attempts to climb out of its worst conference standing since the 1999-2000 season. The roster transformation is designed to immediately impact the competitive balance within the Big 12.
The arrival of 10 new transfers drastically changes the team's rotation and depth compared to the previous season's roster. Fans and analysts will monitor how immediate contributors like Brandon Rechsteiner integrate with the new 7-foot frontcourt additions.
The takeaway
The successful integration of the transfer-heavy roster will be the primary indicator of whether the team can return to a 20-win season under new leadership. Implementing this aggressive turnaround strategy requires immediate chemistry development before the team faces high-caliber opponents.
What happens next
Kansas State is scheduled to play against Gonzaga at the Players Era event in Las Vegas.
Further reading
For more updates on the upcoming collegiate season, visit our Basketball coverage page.
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