‘He’s a great hire’: Big 12 basketball coaches react to Jerome Tang at Kansas State
Kansas basketball coach Bill Self tried to call Jerome Tang earlier this week.
After coaching against him for 19 years as a Baylor assistant, Self was happy to hear that Tang was finally becoming a head coach at Kansas State. He wanted to say congratulations.
There was only one problem. The call went to voicemail.
“His answering machine already said, ‘What a great day to be a Wildcat,’” Self said. “ I said, ‘I beg to differ. But I am very happy for you and look forward to us getting a chance to spend some time together.’ It will be fun. (Our rivalry) will be competitive and they will certainly be battles.”
It’s not always easy for a college basketball coach to say nice things about his in-state rival, but that doesn’t seem to be an issue now that Tang is calling the shots with the Wildcats.
Self said he successfully recruited one of Tang’s players (a 6-foot-2 guard named Robert Johnson) to Oral Roberts in 1997 when Tang was coaching at Heritage Christian Academy in Houston. They have been on good terms ever since.
“He’s going to do a great job,” Self said. “He earned (the right) to be a head coach many years ago. He waited very patiently to get the position that he thought was the best fit for him. It was going to happen. It was inevitable. He’s a great hire. He’s a great guy.”
They had even more positive things to say about Tang at Baylor on Tuesday.
Scott Drew compared Tang leaving Baylor after nearly two decades as an assistant with the Bears to a player leaving for the NBA.
“We are all excited for Coach Tang and him having an opportunity to be a head coach in the Big 12 at K-State,” Drew said. “At the same time, whenever you work with someone for 19 years, it’s like a family member moving away. It’s hard. There have been some tears. Obviously, we’re going to miss him.”
Drew knew Tang was bound to leave Waco, Texas at some point. Still, it wasn’t easy for Drew to say goodbye.
They started their journey together at Baylor in 2003, back when the Bears were an afterthought in the Big 12. Slowly but surely, they worked side by side to transform them into a national power. Now they are regulars in the NCAA Tournament and fresh off a national championship.
Tang did a little bit of everything to help over the years, including stepping in as interim head coach for four games last season while Drew was out with COVID-19.
The Bears went 4-0, which Drew is quick to point out is the best coaching record in school history.
“We’re going to cheer for him at K-State, except for when he plays us,” Drew said. “Hopefully we are both in the national championship game together.”
Drew wished Tang nothing but the best when he accepted the job. Tang has entertained other opportunities, but he never felt totally comfortable with his other offers.
Things were different with K-State. Everything felt right.
“He’s been selective throughout the years,” Drew said. “I think Tommy Lloyd showed the value of being selective and picking the right job. Coach Tang has done the exact same thing. When when you feel called and led to a job and it’s the right job, your chance of being successful is a lot higher.”