MANHATTAN (KSNT) - After one of the more memorable seasons in program history in 2023, K-State locked in on head coach Jeff Mittie for the long run.
Mittie inked a contract extension through the 2028-29 season at the start of 2024, and so far, things are going according to plan for the 'Cats. K-State cruised into Big 12 play at 12-1, with its sole non-conference loss coming at the hands of then-No. 13 Duke.
What's been working for the Wildcats? Coach Mittie shared his best answer to that question in a one-on-one interview with K-Nation's Caroline Soro.
"We've been able to score without [Ayoka] Lee in the lineup at times, and I think that's been a benefit to our guard play, our guard play has gotten better and better," Mittie said. "... Early, it wasn't real consistent, we were seeing glimpses of what we could be, and now in practice we're seeing more consistency."
Off the court, Mittie explained his relationship with his team is built on honesty. Part of that stems from having veteran players like Ayoka Lee, Serena Sundell and Jaelyn Glenn on the roster who will give him feedback when necessary.
For Mittie, striking a healthy balance between being a coach and a teammate to players goes a long way.
"You've got to be able to have an honest conversation when it's not comfortable," Mittie said. "If I'm praising mediocrity, then that's not an honest conversation. If I'm praising things that I know in my heart aren't the things that they need to do to be successful in life, or successful on the floor, then I don't have that trust ... As a coach, you've got to be true to your word."
The first part of Coach Mittie's interview aired in Dec. 15's episode of K-Nation, while the second part aired on Dec. 29. Both parts can be watched above. K-Nation airs every Sunday night following 27 News at 10 on KSNT.
