Casey Alexander’s coaching staff beginning to take shape for K-State basketball
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- At least two former Belmont assistants expected to join K-State staff
- Sean Rutigliano reportedly set to join K-State after a 16-9 year at Colby
- Kerron Johnson arrived in Manhattan; he's known for mentoring guards
The Kansas State men’s basketball team appears close to announcing a few members of Casey Alexander’s inaugural coaching staff with the Wildcats.
Not surprisingly, his staff will have connections to his former post at Belmont.
A handful of Alexander’s former assistants at Belmont are set work alongside him next season at Bramlage Coliseum.
Sean Rutigliano is reportedly ready to join K-State as an assistant after he most recently worked as a head coach for Colby, a Division III basketball program in Maine. Rutigliano went 16-9 this past season at Colby.
Before he became a head coach, he worked as an assistant under Alexander at both Belmont and Lipscomb.
Alexander recommended Rutigliano for the Colby job when it came open.
“Sean Rutigliano is the total package,” Alexander said last year. “He has a creative basketball mind and is committed to excellence on both ends of the floor. He’s a gifted teacher, expressive communicator, and genuine relationship builder.”
Kerron Johnson, a young basketball mind who spent the past four years working for Belmont, will also follow Alexander to K-State.
He arrived in Manhattan on Thursday along with a handful of other new K-State hires.
Johnson, 35, is a former Belmont point guard who helped the Bruins reach the NCAA Tournament in 2011, 2012 and 2013. He is one of the most decorated players in school history. His name appears in the Belmont Hall of Fame.
As a coach, he has helped mentor several guards in recent years, including Ben Sheppard — who went on to become the No. 26 pick (by the Indiana Pacers) in the 2023 NBA Draft. He was also viewed as a valuable recruiter and a good scout.
Johnson’s brother is a well-known athlete. Kerryon Johnson was a star running back at Auburn. He then played three seasons with the Detroit Lions. He is currently the running backs coach at East Tennessee State.
Three other former Belmont staffers are also now at K-State.
JJ Butler and Luke Smith will both continue to serve as assistant coaches under Alexander. Bryce Haase will take over as director of analytics and Lee Scott will be the team’s new strength and conditioning coach.
Alexander still has a few more hires to make before his stand is complete. But it is already filled with connections to his former job at Belmont.
This story was originally published March 26, 2026 at 12:38 PM.