Has one coach already withdrawn his name from Kansas State’s basketball search?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Reports conflict on Josh Schertz; one says he declined, another says he's still a candidate.
- If Schertz exits, K-State would shift focus to Casey Alexander and Jerrod Calhoun.
- Other potential candidates: Alan Huss, Chris Mack, Ben Jacobson, Bob Richey and Takayo Siddle.
Over the past few days, it began to feel like Kansas State was focusing on three primary targets in its search for a new men’s basketball coach.
K-State athletic director Gene Taylor was showing significant interest in the following three names, according to insiders with knowledge of the search process:
1. Utah State head coach Jerrod Calhoun.
2. Saint Louis head coach Josh Schertz.
3. Belmont head coach Casey Alexander.
But one of those names may have already dropped out of the mix. CBS college basketball reporter Matt Norlander shared on Friday that Schertz has declined interest from the Wildcats. He plans to look at other jobs or stay with the Billikens, as SLU is preparing to offer him a contract extension.
Interestingly, Field of 68 reporter Jeff Goodman said that report was inaccurate. He framed it as “highly unlikely” that Schertz would take the K-State job. But he wrote on social media that Schertz was still in the conversation.
Here’s what Schertz had to say about job speculation to St. Louis reporter Stu Durando: “I would never talk about any other job outside of the one I have. I just think that’s disrespectful to not only another program’s players and coaches, but to our players and staff here at SLU.”
From the start, K-State sources had said that convincing Schertz to leave Saint Louis would be a difficult task. K-State was interested in him as a possible replacement for Jerome Tang, but he is one of the hottest names on the coaching carousel this year. It was never a given that he would jump at the chance to coach at Bramlage Coliseum.
If he is out of the mix, then Taylor’s focus will shift to Alexander and Calhoun.
Alexander should be available to interview with K-State in the near future. Drake upset Belmont in the quarterfinals of Arch Madness on Friday, which means the Bruins will miss the NCAA Tournament after winning 26 games this season.
K-State has shown interest in Alexander because he fits the exact mold of an experienced head coach that Taylor has said he is searching for. Alexander has won at least 20 games in nine straight seasons.
The Wildcats could hire him earlier than most other candidates.
He was asked about the K-State opening following his team’s loss on Friday.
“My plans are to be back at Belmont and have a great team and see if we can win March Madness,” he said. “Unless you know something I don’t know there isn’t anything else to worry or think about.”
Calhoun has led Utah State to 24 wins this season, and the Aggies appear to be a lock for the NCAA Tournament. K-State would most likely have to wait another two weeks, or longer, to hire him if he is ultimately the choice. Calhoun has generated the most buzz in K-State’s coaching search. Unlike Schertz, he appears to be interested in the gig.
“I call this silly season time,” Calhoun said when he was asked about other jobs. “The only thing I am focused on is the 2 p.m. game tomorrow and winning an outright (Mountain West) championship.”
But other schools could pursue him as more jobs come open.
If K-State decides to expand its search beyond those two names, sources have said to keep an eye on Creighton assistant coach Alan Huss and Charleston head coach Chris Mack.
Goodman reported that Ben Jacobson (Northern Iowa), Bob Richey (Furman) and Takayo Siddle (UNC Wilmington) could also be in the mix.
This story was originally published March 6, 2026 at 3:25 PM.