Casey Alexander Expected to Become New Head Coach at Kansas State
Casey Alexander is expected to be hired as the new head coach of Kansas State basketball, following a tumultuous season that saw the team finish with a 12-20 record and a first-round exit at the Big 12 Tournament. This development comes after the midseason firing of Jerome Tang, who was let go for cause after a controversial press conference criticizing his team.
Kansas State’s athletic director, Gene Taylor, is looking to revitalize the program and has emphasized the need for a head coach with significant experience. Alexander fits this profile well, boasting 15 years of head coaching experience and an impressive overall record of 303-180 throughout his coaching career. His most recent tenure at Belmont has been particularly noteworthy, where he achieved a record of 166-60, including three regular-season conference titles and seven consecutive seasons with 20 or more wins.
Under Alexander’s leadership, Belmont transitioned from the Ohio Valley to the Missouri Valley Conference, demonstrating his ability to adapt and succeed in different competitive environments. His coaching resume also includes stints at Lipscomb and Stetson, where he led Lipscomb to the NCAA Tournament in 2019 and an NIT runner-up finish in 2020. This track record of success makes him a compelling choice for Kansas State as they seek to improve their performance on the court.
The decision to hire Alexander comes in the wake of a disappointing season for Kansas State, which included a significant loss to Cincinnati, with a score of 91-62, that ultimately led to Tang’s dismissal. The Wildcats are eager to re-energize their fanbase and restore the program’s competitive edge, and they believe that Alexander’s proven success can help achieve this goal.
Details remain unconfirmed, but reports indicate that terms of the agreement are being finalized. Alexander’s familiarity with the Kansas State program, having played college basketball at Belmont from 1992 to 1995 and serving as an assistant coach there from 1995 to 2011, may also play a role in his transition to this new position.
As Kansas State prepares for this new chapter, the community is hopeful that Alexander can bring a fresh perspective and renewed energy to the team. His hiring is seen as a critical step in the right direction following a season that left much to be desired.
In a previous statement, Alexander expressed his commitment to Belmont, stating, “My plans are to be back at Belmont and have a great team and see if we can win March Madness.” However, it appears that the opportunity at Kansas State may be too significant to pass up, as the Wildcats look to turn the page and embark on a new era of basketball under his leadership.
