LSU has finalized the return of Will Wade as its men's basketball coach, concluding a complex and public process that has unfolded over several months. Wade announced his departure from NC State on Thursday, confirming he will rejoin LSU, where he previously coached from 2018 to 2022. His return marks a significant moment for LSU basketball, which has endured instability and sanctions in the wake of Wade's earlier tenure and departure.
Wade's statement on social media expressed the personal significance of returning to LSU. He acknowledged the difficulty of the decision because of his respect for NC State but emphasized that coming back to LSU felt like going home for him and his family. His return follows a period of public speculation and behind-the-scenes maneuvering involving university leadership and state political figures.
The sequence of events leading to Wade's return began well before LSU fired its current coach, Matt McMahon, on Thursday. McMahon had struggled through a challenging four years, compiling a 60-70 overall record and a 17-55 mark in Southeastern Conference (SEC) play. His tenure was also hampered by injuries and recruiting restrictions inherited from the NCAA sanctions against LSU's basketball program.
LSU's desire to bring Wade back was clear for months, despite his public loyalty to NC State as recently as the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) tournament. The process was heavily influenced by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who has maintained a close relationship with Wade and has been a vocal presence in LSU athletics decisions, including the firing of football coach Brian Kelly in late 2023.
Key administrative changes at LSU paved the way for Wade's return. The university dismissed former athletic director Scott Woodward last fall, partly due to his reluctance to fire McMahon and re-hire Wade the previous year. LSU also appointed Wade Rousse as its new president in November. Rousse had previously hired Wade at McNeese State following the NCAA investigation that led to Wade's suspension and eventual firing from LSU. This week, Rousse hired Heath Schroyer as McNeese's athletic director; Schroyer is a close ally of Wade. The close alignment of Rousse, Schroyer, and Landry helped facilitate the coaching change.
Throughout this period, the situation was awkward and public, as McMahon remained in his position while speculation swirled about his replacement. NC State's athletic director, Boo Corrigan, also faces scrutiny for hiring Wade despite the obvious risk that he might return to LSU. Corrigan had supported Wade in rehabilitating his reputation during Wade's single season at NC State, which ended with a loss in the NCAA tournament's First Four round.
Financially, the coaching change presents challenges for LSU. McMahon's seven-year contract, signed in 2022, included a large buyout due to the program's instability and recruiting restrictions left by Wade. LSU must pay McMahon more than $8 million, adding to the $54 million buyout owed to fired football coach Brian Kelly. Wade, meanwhile, has a buyout clause with NC State that exceeds $5 million if he leaves before April 1, dropping to $3 million afterward.
LSU's spending spree on coaching and roster investments has been substantial. In the last four months alone, the university has committed over $60 million in dead money related to coaching contracts and buyouts. This includes the $3 million paid to Ole Miss for football coach Lane Kiffin's hire. Kiffin's arrival has spurred a roster spending surge expected to exceed $40 million. Wade's contract, reportedly just under $5 million annually, will elevate LSU's basketball program within the SEC, where it has consistently struggled near the bottom during McMahon's tenure.
Wade's history at LSU is complicated. His previous tenure ended abruptly in 2022 amid an NCAA investigation that uncovered serious violations. LSU received a notice of allegations citing five Level I violations and one Level II violation connected to Wade. These included impermissible payments to a player's former fiancée, failure to cooperate with the investigation, and promoting a non-compliant atmosphere. In June 2023, Wade received a two-year show-cause order and a 10-game suspension for three Level I violations.
The situation worsened in 2019 when Wade was suspended just before the NCAA tournament after a federal wiretap reportedly captured him discussing a "strong-ass offer" to a recruit. Despite these issues, Wade's on-court record at LSU was strong. He led the Tigers to three NCAA tournament appearances in four seasons and secured the program's first SEC regular-season title in a decade in 2019. His overall record at LSU was 105-51.
After leaving LSU, Wade was hired by McNeese State in 2023, where he quickly turned around the program. He led the Cowboys to their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2002 and compiled a 58-12 record over two seasons, including an impressive 36-2 mark in conference play. McNeese won an upset victory over 5-seed Clemson in the 2023 tournament before losing to Purdue. Wade's success at McNeese, aided by NIL funding and transfer portal talent, restored some of his coaching reputation.
Shortly before McNeese's NCAA tournament game against Clemson last year, Wade agreed to become NC State's head coach. His arrival in Raleigh generated significant excitement, with the "red reckoning" slogan symbolizing the Wolfpack's potential to challenge the ACC's established order. The 2023-24 season began well, with NC State achieving an 18-6 overall record and a 9-2 mark in conference play at one point, including a six-game winning streak.
However, the Wolfpack faltered late in the season, losing six of their final seven games and ultimately landing in the First Four. Their season ended with a narrow 68-66 loss to Texas on March 17. Wade's departure to LSU leaves NC State facing a sudden coaching vacancy and the challenge of replacing a popular and high-profile coach after just one season.
In summary, Will Wade's return to LSU marks a dramatic chapter in college basketball coaching moves. LSU has made a significant financial and strategic commitment to reclaiming a coach whose previous tenure was marred by NCAA violations but also notable success. The move reflects the influence of state politics, shifting university leadership, and the high stakes of college sports. For Wade, the return is a personal homecoming with the opportunity to rebuild LSU basketball's fortunes. For LSU, it represents an ambitious effort to elevate its basketball program amid ongoing challenges and competition in the SEC. Meanwhile, NC State must now navigate the unexpected loss of a coach who had quickly energized its program but whose loyalty ultimately lay elsewhere.