K-State asked this former basketball player to help with its coaching search
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- K-State added ex-Wildcat Jordan Henriquez to its coaching search committee.
- The search process led to hiring Casey Alexander, after seven 20-win Belmont seasons.
- Alexander’s offensive efficiency and metrics impressed committee members.
When Jordan Henriquez says “I come from a culture of winning,” it’s impossible to argue with him.
The 6-foot-11 former Kansas State basketball player was a key member of four straight NCAA Tournament teams when he played for the Wildcats. His college career started with a run to the Elite Eight in 2010 under Frank Martin and ended with a Big 12 championship in 2013 under Bruce Weber.
Henriquez was never the star of those teams, but he was a steady and reliable force in the paint. He learned firsthand what it takes to win consistently at a place like K-State.
For that reason, K-State athletic director Gene Taylor invited Henriquez to join the school’s search committee as it spent the past four weeks interviewing candidates to replace Jerome Tang, who was fired last month, midway through his fourth year in Manhattan.
“I felt honored,” Henriquez said. “I have tried to be a part of K-State since I graduated, and I loved my time here. Being part of the committee was a blessing.”
The Wildcats introduced Casey Alexander as their new coach on Monday. He comes to K-State after spending the past seven years at Belmont, where he led the Bruins to seven straight 20-win seasons and three conference championships.
K-State fans hope he will prove to be a good fit at Bramlage Coliseum.
Perhaps an endorsement from a former player like Henriquez is reason for them to feel cautiously optimistic.
“I love his approach to the game,” Henriquez said of Alexander. “He has a great coaching philosophy and he is very professional. He did a really good job of just telling us who he was and what getting the K-State job would would mean to him. I just love the fact that he wanted to come in and make a change immediately.”
What impressed Henriquez most about Alexander?
“His efficiency,” Alexander said. “The data never lies. He runs up the numbers on offense. I know he can have a good impact here and bring in guys who can impact winning on both sides of the ball.”
Belmont led the country in effective field goal percentage this season, as the Bruins made 41% of their shots from beyond the arc and 60.6% of their shots within the arc.
Four years ago, Taylor leaned on athletic department employees Kenny Lannou and Casey Scott as advisers when he hired Tang.
This time around, Taylor also enlisted the help of Henriquez and Rob Heil, another athletic department employee. Taylor said some boosters even helped during the interview process.
“They did a great job,” Taylor said, “and they kept us focused, kept us looking. They asked me really hard questions about what was important. Them really helping me through this has been a pleasure.”
Henriquez tries to attend as many K-State home games as he can. He wants to support the team and help current players as a mentor.
But the Wildcats haven’t given him much to cheer about lately. They have only reached the NCAA Tournament one time in the past seven years.
Changing that trajectory was his top priority as a member of the search committee that hired Alexander.
“It’s been an honor just being a part of his journey,” Henriquez said. “But I have also seen the changes with different coaches here over the past 10 years. I’m excited for a new start.”