There are a handful of names currently in the conversation for the position of the next head coach of the Kansas State men's basketball team, but you probably didn’t see this one coming.
Metta World Peace, better known as Ron Artest before legally changing his name in 2011, took to X Wednesday night with some comments about the opening.
Metta World Peace chimes in on Kansas State head coaching situation
Kansas State Head Coach Job is one I think is very interesting for me.
— Coach Metta (@MettaWorld37) February 19, 2026
I’m so excited about the progress I’ve made in developing into a no brainer head coach .
“Kansas State Head Coach Job is one I think is very interesting for me,” the post read. “I’m so excited about the progress I’ve made in developing into a no brainer head coach.”
World Peace spent 19 seasons in the NBA, first with the Chicago Bulls before being traded to the Indianapolis Pacers. The latter parts of his career were spent with the Sacramento Kings, the Houston Rockets, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the New York Knicks. He also played a part in the Nov. 19 scuffle between the Pacers and the Detroit Pistons, later deemed the “Malice at the Palace.”
World Peace also spent time coaching as a player development coach for the South Bay Lakers, served as an assistant and associate head coach for the Cal State Los Angeles women’s college basketball team.
Top candidates to replace Jerome Tang at K-State
A handful of names have entered the conversation for the head coaching role at Kansas State, all with more coaching experience at the division one level than World Peace.
Jarred Calhoun, the current head coach at Utah State, tops the list alongside St. Louis’ Josh Schertz and Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans. A report from The Athletic, however, mentions that pulling Jans away from the Bulldogs wouldn’t be easy.
And even though current interim head coach Matthew Driscoll shot down any indications of interest in the head coaching role, his standout performance against Baylor could say otherwise.
Only time will tell.
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