Casey Alexander Leaves for Kansas State
- Nick Rampe
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
After seven seasons as the Belmont men’s basketball head coach, Casey Alexander is leaving Nashville for Kansas State University on a five-year deal worth $3.4 million annually.
He’s had a successful tenure at Belmont. His accomplishments include:
Named MVC coach of the year for this season
At least 20 wins in all seven seasons
Two Ohio Valley Conference regular season championships
One Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championship
One NCAA Tournament appearance
Won the first Missouri Valley Conference regular season championship in program history.
“Casey embodies the qualities of character, commitment and selflessness we aspire for everyone who sets foot on our campus,” said Scott Corley, Belmont’s director of athletics in a statement.
Greg Sage, associate athletic director for media relations, declined to interview and did not allow the Vision to interview any athletics staff or men’s basketball players.
After the team’s historic 21-point loss in the MVC Tournament March 6, Alexander dismissed any plans of leaving.
“My plans are to be back at Belmont and have a great team and see if we can win March Madness. Unless you know something that I don't know, I don't think there's anything else to worry or think about,” he said.
He officially signed with Kansas State seven days later for approximately $2 million more per year. It will be his first year not coaching on Belmont Boulevard in 13 years.
Kansas State’s head coaching position was vacant since the firing of Jerome Tang Feb. 17. Alexander will lead a rebuild of a Wildcats team which finished 12-20 in the regular season.
“I’m incredibly excited to join the team at K-State and can’t wait to get the journey started,” Alexander said in a statement. “K-State has such a rich tradition and a wildly passionate fan base, and I’m grateful for the opportunity provided by Gene Taylor to be a part of it.”
His decision leaves a lot of questions for Belmont, including whether the team will participate in this year’s NIT if invited.
For Bruin fans, it leaves even more questions for the future.
“I understand why he’s leaving. Like, the projected salary, the increase in facilities and NIL and staff and who’s watching him; I understand it. But like, why?” said MOB president Noah Stevens.
“Not to be dramatic: I did shed a few tears last night... He’s been the one constant aside from Brigham throughout my three years now watching.”
Stevens said he fears players will transfer following Alexander’s decision, and the upcoming recruiting class may choose other destinations.
Belmont will now look for only its 11th head coach in program, the first time it’s needed to search since Rick Byrd’s retirement in 2019.
Written by Nick Rampe with contributory reporting by Reece Leddy
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