Under any conditions, Matthew Driscoll’s Kansas State (Shop K-State) basketball season would be challenging, but since he was appointed interim head coach, it has become extremely unpleasant for him. One of the hardest things in his life has been taking over for a friend like Jerome Tang, who was dismissed over a month ago.
“I don’t love this,” Driscoll said after K-State lost 104-85 against Sunflower Showdown rival Kansas on Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse. “This is not what I want to do.”
Maybe because of this, Driscoll talked about his K-State coaching staff for most of his press conference. Indeed, the Wildcats’ terrible season is coming to an end (12-19, 3-15 Big 12). Indeed, since Tang’s dismissal for cause, they have only won two games. However, the team has performed admirably under unexpected conditions.
Driscoll believes that K-State assistant coaches should be acknowledged for their contribution to that. Their stay in Manhattan is drawing to a close. However, they have continued to concentrate on the current season rather than potential future developments.
“The employees are the ones who are being overlooked the most in this entire situation,” Driscoll stated. It happens every day. What they have to do and how they have to achieve it are really challenging. There’s hardly much sand left.
“Pretty soon, the keys aren’t going to work, and now you’ve got to figure out what you’re going to do with your family. Multiple of them have little ones. I’ve been there. I’ve had two little boys, and I’ve been there. But the staff has been resilient. They’ve done an incredible job making sure these guys are as much on point as they possibly could be.”
For the Wildcats, the past few weeks have been odd. It is anticipated that few, if any, coaches will be back for the upcoming season. Gene Taylor, the athletic director, is actively looking for a new head coach. Perhaps he will appoint Casey Alexander, the coach at Belmont, or Jerrod Calhoun, the coach at Utah State. The next man will want to hire his own employees.
K-State assistants must be tempted to start looking for their own jobs. K-State athletes are in a similar situation. Next season, the most of them are anticipated to play somewhere else. Perhaps the new coaching staff will extend an invitation to a late-surging player like Andrej Kostic or a veteran like Taj Manning to return. However, a high turnover rate is anticipated.
It has also been difficult to inspire them to continue playing hard. Driscoll remarked, “I’m trying to navigate the players and where they are.” “Are guys not interested in playing? Are they interested in playing? Do they wish to enter? Are they unwilling to enter? Are they doing this? Are they doing that?
Driscoll stated that his choice to sit PJ Haggerty at the conclusion of the game despite his 21 points was one of the few things he was certain about. He didn’t want Haggerty to get hurt and miss the Big 12 Tournament.
Reminding other players that they are competing for NIL contracts the following season has inspired them, according to K-State coaches. The game on Saturday was broadcast nationwide on CBS. People would pay more attention if the Wildcats performed well. Even though the majority of these players might not participate again next season, they can now position themselves to earn more money.
“These guys are playing for contracts,” Driscoll said. “They’re playing for contracts either next season in the NCAA, or they’re playing for contracts professionally. Our staff is trying to get a job. There are so many different things that marketability is focused on. What you do is always going to be there, because the video doesn’t lie.”
Taylor must have like Driscoll’s message because, following his news conference, the K-State athletic director hugged and put his arm around Driscoll. After one more defeat, the season will be over.
Driscoll hopes the K-State coaching staff receives some recognition for finishing the season under unfavorable conditions before that occurs. Driscoll stated, “I want to make sure that everyone knows that our staff deserves a lot of credit for what’s transpired in these last two, three weeks.” “I’m happy to be with them.”
