Jerome Tang removes names from Kansas State jerseys after viral rant
Kansas State coach Jerome Tang took a visible step to drive home a message about pride and accountability, ordering the names removed from the back of the Wildcats’ jerseys for the Saturday, Feb. 14 road game in Houston (ET). The move followed a scathing postgame rant and a stretch of intense early-morning practices meant to demand better from a struggling roster.
Names gone, message clear
For the matchup at the Fertitta Center on Saturday, the Wildcats wore uniforms without the players' names across their shoulders — a symbolic push to emphasize the brand on the chest over individual identity. Tang framed the decision as part of a broader effort to instill pride in the program after a run of lopsided defeats.
The uniform change was paired with a series of disciplinary measures: Tang scheduled 6 a. m. ET practices and had players run the arena stairs repeatedly in the days after a 91-62 home loss to Cincinnati on Feb. 11. Tang's postgame comments following that defeat were blunt and widely shared, and the coach left little doubt that he expected immediate change. "This was embarrassing, " he said. "These dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform, and there will be very few of them in it next year. I'm embarrassed for the university, I'm embarrassed for our fans, and our student section. It's just ridiculous. "
Short-term spark, long-term questions
The message produced a visible, if limited, response at the Fertitta Center. Kansas State led Houston 15-6 early, showing better energy and focus in the opening stages and splitting time building physicality and shot creation. The Wildcats scored 45 points in the second half but ultimately fell 78-64. The loss dropped Kansas State to 10-15 on the season, while the Cougars strengthened their position atop the conference.
Tang expressed cautious optimism after the Houston game, saying the players were "turning the corner" and beginning to internalize what it means to "wear Kansas State on your chest. " He framed the episode as a character moment, telling the group they could be either victims or victors and that they had chosen the latter. Tang also said he would refrain from continued public commentary on effort while the team attempts to salvage the remainder of its season.
Yet the larger issues that prompted his outburst — defensive breakdowns, inconsistent effort, and thin margin for error in a brutal conference — remain. Inside the arena, some fans made their displeasure known during recent home losses, and student frustration surfaced visibly. Tang's tactical and cultural shifts will be measured not just by flashes of competitiveness but by wins and steadier defensive performances in the weeks ahead.
What comes next for the Wildcats
With conference play winding toward the Big 12 Tournament, Tang has little runway to reshape the season. The stripped-name jerseys are an immediate psychological gambit; whether they translate into sustained buy-in or simply serve as a short-lived headline will depend on the team's response in upcoming games. Tang has publicly promised continued intensity in practice and a renewed emphasis on accountability, and the program's next outings will reveal whether the message has taken hold.
For now, the coach is leaning on tough love and symbolic reminders of identity. The remaining schedule offers opportunities to validate that approach, but the Wildcats must convert effort into results if Tang's push for cultural change is to be judged a success rather than a midseason reset with limited impact.
