Wade Addresses the Speculation

Following a narrow 81-74 defeat to Virginia in the ACC quarterfinals, Will Wade’s inaugural season with NC State appears poised for an NCAA tournament berth. However, despite the team's promising trajectory, Wade continues to face persistent questions about a possible reunion with his former employer, LSU.


Interestingly, these rumors emerged exactly four years after LSU issued a notice of allegations and terminated Wade's contract due to recruiting violations. When asked about the potential opening in Baton Rouge—despite current coach Matt McMahon still holding the position—Wade was firm in his commitment to his current program:


«Is the job open there? No, so let me be very clear: I’m excited at NC State. I was hired at NC State to do a job. This wasn’t going to take one year. I’ve already met with our administration about next year and some of the changes we need to make... We’re going to win and we’re going to win big at NC State.»

A Complicated History at LSU

The speculation remains fueled by Wade's history at LSU, where he attained a cult-like status by securing a 105-51 record and three NCAA tournament appearances. His tenure was defined by both on-court success and a defiant stance against NCAA regulations.


During his time there, Wade faced significant scrutiny, most notably following reports of an FBI wiretap recording where he discussed a "strong-ass offer" to a recruit. This incident led to suspensions and eventually, the discovery of six Level 1 violations, which resulted in a two-year show-cause penalty and a 10-game suspension.


The Road Back and Financial Hurdles

After a one-year hiatus, Wade made a successful return to coaching at McNeese State, winning two conference titles and achieving an upset victory over Clemson in the NCAA tournament. His path back to prominence is particularly notable because Wade Rousse, the university president who brought him to McNeese, assumed the presidency at LSU last November.


However, any potential move faces substantial financial obstacles:

  • LSU would incur an estimated $8 million buyout cost to move on from current coach Matt McMahon.
  • An additional $5 million would be required to release Wade from his obligations at NC State.
  • The university is already managing significant financial commitments following recent changes in their football program.

Despite the high costs, industry experts suggest that leadership might prefer a reunion with Wade due to his consistent track record of winning. For now, NC State officials, including athletic director Boo Corrigan, maintain confidence in their relationship with Wade and his future with the Wolfpack.