Casey Alexander Named Head Coach of Kansas State Basketball
In a significant shift in the men’s college basketball coaching landscape, Kansas State has tapped Casey Alexander, formerly of Belmont, to take the helm of its basketball program, as confirmed by the university on March 13. Alexander has committed to a five-year contract, valued at $3.3 million in its final season of 2026-27, with an annual increment of $50,000 thereafter.
Alexander’s Coaching Success at Belmont
Alexander steps into this prominent role following a successful seven-year stint at Belmont, where he achieved a remarkable record of 166-60. His tenure was marked by consistency, with the Bruins winning 20 or more games each season and clinching three regular-season conference titles. Recently, he led Belmont to a solid 26-6 season, crowned as the Missouri Valley regular-season champions, although they faced an unexpected setback against Drake in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament, which jeopardized their NCAA tournament aspirations. Notably, under Alexander’s guidance, Belmont qualified for the NCAA tournament in 2020; however, the event was ultimately called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coaching Experience and Style
At 53, Alexander brings substantial coaching experience to Kansas State, having previously led programs at Lipscomb and Stetson, where his combined record stood at 137-120 over eight seasons. His coaching style is characterized by a high-paced offensive approach, earning accolades for his teams’ effectiveness—six of his seven Belmont squads placed within the top 100 for adjusted offensive efficiency according to KenPom statistics. This reputation for offensive prowess has contributed to his success in recruiting talented players, including Wil Richard, Ja’Kobi Gillespie, and Cade Tyson, all of whom later transitioned to larger programs.
Alexander’s Enthusiasm for Kansas State
“I’m incredibly excited to join the team at K-State and can’t wait to get the journey started. K-State has such a rich tradition and a wildly passionate fan base, and I’m grateful for the opportunity provided by Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor to be a part of it.”
Context of the Coaching Change
The move follows the dismissal of Jerome Tang, who was let go on February 15 after four seasons, with the university citing conduct that they intend to defend legally. Kansas State has experienced fluctuations in its NCAA tournament presence, qualifying nine times in a 12-season span from 2008 to 2019, which included two Elite Eight runs. However, the Wildcats’ performance has dwindled in recent years, missing the tournament in five of the last six seasons and accumulating a disappointing 28-37 record over the previous two years, despite notable acquisitions from the transfer portal.
