In a stunning turn of events that has rocked the Kansas State basketball community, current men’s basketball Head Coach Jerome Tang has publicly reacted to a newly unearthed report allegedly authored by legendary former Wildcats coach Jack Hartman—a document critical of modern college coaching pipelines to the NBA.
The report, titled “From Fundamentals to Flash: The NBA’s Forgotten Values,” was discovered among Hartman’s archived writings and recently released by the Kansas State Historical Athletic Foundation. The 47-page manuscript includes scathing commentary on what Hartman described as the “erosion of core basketball principles” in today’s college-to-pro development system.
🔥 “A Gut Punch” – Tang Responds
When asked about the contents of the report during Tuesday’s press conference, Coach Tang was visibly taken aback.
“I have nothing but the utmost respect for Coach Hartman,” Tang said. “To read his words—especially the part where he questioned whether today’s coaches are preparing players for long-term success—it was a gut punch.”
Tang, who has led the Wildcats to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances and is known for his high-energy, player-first approach, acknowledged the criticism but defended his program.
“If Coach Hartman were here today, I’d tell him that times have changed, but our values haven’t,” Tang continued. “We still teach grit. We still teach accountability. But yes, the game has evolved.”
📜 Inside the Hartman Report
Though Jack Hartman passed away in 2015, the report is said to have been written during his retirement years and sealed with instructions not to release it until a decade after his passing.
In one section, Hartman wrote:
“The game is now built for highlight reels, not Hall of Famers. Too many coaches chase clout over character.”
He specifically cited the trend of “one-and-done” college players and what he termed “an increasing reliance on individualism over team schemes.”
🏀 Shockwaves Across the NCAA and NBA
Reactions from the wider basketball world have been swift. NBA veterans, former Wildcats players, and analysts have weighed in:
Michael Beasley, former K-State star: “Coach Hartman had old-school wisdom. But every generation writes its own story.”
ESPN’s Jay Bilas: “It’s a fascinating critique—but let’s not forget, Hartman coached in a different era. The game is global and faster now.”
📢 What’s Next for Tang?
Despite the sting of the report, Tang says he plans to use the moment as a teaching opportunity for his team.
“I told the guys this morning: Great leaders take feedback, even from the past. We honor Coach Hartman by showing we can blend tradition with innovation.”
