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Jerome Tang out at Kansas St.; coach to fight for-cause firing

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Jerome Tang out at Kansas St.; coach to fight for-cause firing


Kansas State fired men’s basketball coach Jerome Tang for cause, the school said Sunday night.

The last-place Wildcats have only one win in the Big 12, and Tang, in his fourth season, lashed out at his players following a blowout home loss to Cincinnati on Wednesday.

The basis for the for-cause firing, sources told ESPN, is language in Tang’s contract that references any activity that brings “public disrepute, embarrassment, ridicule” to Kansas State.

“This was a decision that was made in the best interest of our university and men’s basketball program,” Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor said in a statement. “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 took issue with the firing.

“I am deeply disappointed with the university’s decision and strongly disagree with the characterization of my termination,” he told ESPN in a statement. “I have always acted with integrity and faithfully fulfilled my responsibilities as head coach.”

In 2023, Tang signed a contract extension through the 2029-30 season, and there is still $18.67 million remaining on that deal. Tang plans to fight the for-cause firing and has retained Tom Mars and Bennett Speyer in the case.

“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 told ESPN.

The Wildcats dropped to 1-11 in Big 12 play with a 78-64 loss at No. 3 Houston on Saturday. They played the game without player names on the back of their jerseys, three days after the rant by Tang following the Cincinnati loss went viral.

“These dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform,” Tang said then. “There will be very few of them in it next year. I’m embarrassed for the university, I’m embarrassed for our fans, our student section. It is ridiculous … I have no answer. No words.”

Tang led Kansas State to the Elite Eight in his first season, winning 26 games — the program’s most since Bruce Weber’s first season in 2013. The Wildcats couldn’t continue the momentum of Tang’s first season, though, struggling in Big 12 play and missing the NCAA tournament in Year 2 and then finishing 16-17 last season.

Kansas State bottomed out this season, sitting at 10-15 overall and tied for last place in the Big 12. Some of the fans in the student section of Bramlage Coliseum wore bags over their heads during the Wildcats’ loss to Cincinnati.

Before taking over at Kansas State in 2022, Tang was an assistant coach under Scott Drew at Baylor for 20 seasons.

Tang called coaching Kansas State “one of the great honors of my life.”

“I am grateful to the players, staff, and fans who make this program so special,” he said in the statement. “I remain proud of what we built together and confident that I have always acted in the best interests of the university and our student-athletes.”

Kansas State said it would name an interim coach soon and that a national search for a replacement has begun.



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Golfers react to Tiger Woods’ absence at Augusta National during Masters week: ‘It’s unfortunate’

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Golfers react to Tiger Woods’ absence at Augusta National during Masters week: ‘It’s unfortunate’


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Tiger Woods may not be competing in this year’s Masters Tournament, but he is on golfers’ minds as they prepare for the major this year.

Woods’ DUI arrest in Florida on March 27 sent a shockwave through the golf community, and despite needing to lock in at one of the hardest courses on the golf schedule, it’s hard not to think about the five-time Masters winner.

Bodycam footage from his arrest, which occurred after a rollover crash in Jupiter Island, Florida, saw Woods admit he was “hoping to” play in the Masters. But he released a statement after his arrest, saying he would be stepping away from golf to “seek treatment.”

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Tiger Woods of the United States looks on during a practice round prior to the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

“I look at it and go, ‘He’s just a human being like everyone else, and we have struggles,’” Jason Day said on Monday regarding Woods’ situation, per ESPN. “It’s unfortunate. The only thing that I don’t understand is that it’s a little bit selfish of him to drive and put other people in harm’s way as well.”

Day added that Woods was “my hero growing up.”

“The reason why I play golf is because of this tournament and Tiger. It’s hard to see him go through what he’s going through, and especially under the microscope.

“Some people want him to fail. Some people obviously want him to succeed. It’s really difficult for me to go through that and watch him, and I know that he’s getting the help now, which is good. I’m just hoping he comes out on the other side and is better.”

Patrick Reed, a green jacket winner like Woods, is also missing him in Augusta, as well as fellow LIV Golf star Phil Mickelson, who announced he won’t be playing in the tournament due to a family health matter just days after Woods’ arrest.

“Let’s be honest, without Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in the events, in golf, when they both step away, honestly I feel it hurts the game of golf,” Reed said, per ESPN. “But at the same time, we want them to come back and be healthy and ready to go.”

Golfer Tiger Woods performing a field sobriety test on a roadside in Jupiter Island, Florida

In this image taken from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff’s Office, golfer Tiger Woods performs a field sobriety test for sheriff’s deputies following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office/AP)

Bubba Watson viewed Woods’ situation from a human perspective — not as a fellow golfer.

PHIL MICKELSON WITHDRAWS FROM THE MASTERS, JOINS TIGER WOODS IN SITTING OUT SIGNATURE MAJOR

“I could care less about Tiger’s golf,” he said, per ESPN. “I told him from day one that we started hanging out back in [2006 or 2007], somewhere in there, that I’m pulling for him as a human being. Forget his golf — I could care less about his golf.”

Woods’ DUI arrest resulted in charges of driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a blood alcohol level (BAL) test after law enforcement said his vehicle collided with another while he drove impaired.

Woods released his statement after entering a plea of not guilty, waiving his right to an arraignment and demanding a trial with a jury Tuesday.

“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” Woods said in a statement posted on social media. 

Tiger Woods playing a golf shot on the ninth hole at Augusta National Golf Club

Tiger Woods of the United States plays a shot on the ninth hole during the second round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

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“I’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time.”

This arrest marked Woods’ second DUI arrest within the last decade. In 2017, he was taken into custody, also in Jupiter Island, after taking prescription drugs and falling asleep behind the wheel of a running car at 3 a.m.



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Huff scores 3 as West Virginia tops Oklahoma for CBC title

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Huff scores 3 as West Virginia tops Oklahoma for CBC title


LAS VEGAS — Honor Huff made eight 3-pointers and scored a career-high 38 to propel West Virginia to an 89-82 overtime victory over Oklahoma on Sunday in the championship game of the College Basketball Crown Tournament.

The senior guard teamed up with Jasper Floyd to do all the scoring in a game-ending 13-0 run for the Mountaineers (21-14) after spotting the Sooners (21-16) the first six points in OT. Floyd missed his first eight shots before sinking 3-pointers on both sides of one by Huff in a 9-0 run that gave West Virginia the lead for good at 85-82. Huff scored the final four points at the foul line.

Huff made 9 of 19 shots with seven of the misses coming from beyond the arc. He made all 12 of his free throws and had four assists. Chance Moore totaled 19 points — on 7-for-8 shooting — and 10 rebounds off the bench. Brenen Lorient added 15 points and eight rebounds.

Nijel Pack led Oklahoma with 24 points and seven assists. Tae Davis had 19 points and Xzayvier Brown scored 13.

Huff hit his first five 3-pointers and West Virginia jumped out to a 26-11 lead in the first 9:25. Davis had a three-point play in a 9-0 run and another one with 22 seconds left as Oklahoma battled back to lead 41-37 at halftime.

Pack sank a 3-pointer 3:31 into the second half to give Oklahoma its first double-digit lead 52-42.

Huff hit a 3 and two free throws and Lorient scored after a Sooners’ shot-clock violation to tie it 71-all with 1:45 remaining.

Pack and Huff traded 3-pointers, but Davis turned it over and then fouled Huff, who hit both free throws with 33 seconds remaining. Davis tied it at 76 with a layup, forcing OT.



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UNC set to hire Michael Malone as next men’s basketball coach after firing Hubert Davis: report

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UNC set to hire Michael Malone as next men’s basketball coach after firing Hubert Davis: report


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The UNC Tar Heels are dipping into the NBA pool for its next men’s basketball coach.

After Hubert Davis was fired following a shocking loss to VCU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament earlier this month, the Tar Heels are set to hire Michael Malone, according to ESPN.

North Carolina was previously linked to top college coaches, including Michigan’s Dusty May, who will be competing for an NCAA title on Monday night against UConn. But May took his name out of any running across college, while Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd and Iowa State’s T.J. Otzelberger were also rumored to be in the Tar Heels’ favor.

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Head Coach Michael Malone claps on the sidelines during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on April 6, 2025. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

But Malone, who the past 10 seasons leading the Denver Nuggets, is the man they’re settling on to lead the Tar Heels back to greatness.

Malone is the winningest coach in Nuggets history, tallying 471 career wins across his career there, while also winning an NBA title in 2023.

VCU COACH PRAISES STUDENT JOURNALISTS AFTER HISTORIC MARCH MADNESS COMEBACK: ‘BEST IN THE COUNTRY’

However, Malone, despite what he means to the franchise record books, was fired by the Nuggets in April 2025. He quickly entered the sports media space, joining ESPN in May 2025, but he’s back in the saddle now in a whole new collegiate world compared to the pros.

Perhaps North Carolina wouldn’t have been searching for another head coach if Davis and the Tar Heels didn’t collapse against No. 10 VCU in the first round, as the Rams mounted the biggest first-round comeback in tournament history to ultimately defeat No. 6 UNC in overtime, 82-78.

“We appreciate all that Hubert has done for Carolina as a player, assistant coach, head coach and community leader – he has helped make special memories we will never forget,” athletic director Bubba Cunningham said in a statement. “This was not an easy decision because of Hubert’s tremendous character and all he has given to the program, but we must move forward in a way that allows our team to compete more consistently at an elite level.”

Davis, who made four NCAA Tournaments, including the last three seasons, over his five campaigns with the Tar Heels, released his own statement on the matter. 

Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets watching game at Chase Center

Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets watches the game against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on April 4, 2025. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

“Tonight, I was let go by the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill,” he wrote. “My desire was to continue to coach here. This opportunity has truly been such a blessing. I thank Jesus literally every day for giving me the opportunity, relationships and experiences with the kids and my staff. I am very proud of what we were able to accomplish together.”

BILL SELF ANNOUNCES RETURN TO KANSAS SIDELINE, SET FOR 24TH SEASON DESPITE HEALTH ISSUES

Davis added that he hopes to be coaching “in the very near future.”

Davis, who played for UNC from 1988-92 before being a first-round pick by the New York Knicks in 1992, left the program with about $5.3 million still guaranteed from his contract, per ESPN.

Davis went 125-54 during his 179-game tenure with his alma mater, which included a first-year Final Four appearance during the 2021-22 campaign. The Tar Heels reached the national championship game, falling to the Kansas Jayhawks, who also overcame a double-digit deficit to be crowned champions.

Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets looking on during a basketball game at Chase Center

Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on April 4, 2025. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

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 After missing March Madness in 2023, the Tar Heels earned themselves a No. 1 seed in 2024, but they were taken down by No. 4 Alabama in the Sweet 16, cutting their national title hopes short. Still, Davis earned himself the ACC Coach of the Year Award that year. 

The Tar Heels want to get back to the Roy Williams days, as the legendary UNC head coach led his squad to six NCAA titles during his tenure, the most recent coming in 2017.



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