(BCSNN) — Kansas State Athletics Director Gene Taylor announced Saturday night that the university has parted ways with men’s basketball head coach Jerome Tang, effective immediately. The decision follows a turbulent stretch for the Wildcats, who sit in last place in the Big 12 with just one conference win.

The move comes days after Tang sharply criticized his players following a blowout home loss to Cincinnati. His comments, which included saying players “do not deserve to wear this uniform,” were cited by sources as grounds for a for‑cause dismissal under contract language addressing conduct that brings “public disrepute, embarrassment, [or] ridicule” to the university.

Tang, in his fourth season, led Kansas State to the Elite Eight in his debut year, winning 26 games — the program’s most in a decade. But the Wildcats failed to sustain that momentum, missing the NCAA Tournament in Year 2 and finishing 16–17 last season.

Taylor said the decision was made with the program’s long‑term health in mind. “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,” he said. “We wish Coach Tang and his family all the best moving forward.”

Associate head coach Matthew Driscoll has been named interim head coach. A national search for Tang’s permanent replacement will begin immediately