He’s baaaaack.
In a surprising turn of events that has sent shockwaves through college basketball, Will Wade is leaving NC State after just one season to return to LSU. The announcement came directly from Wade in a statement on Thursday, just before any official comment from either NC State or LSU regarding the decision. This decision to relocate is especially impactful, as it signals LSU’s intent to fire coach Matt McMahon, who has failed to lead the Tigers to an NCAA Tournament appearance in his four years at the helm.
Wade’s statement reflected a mix of nostalgia and personal loyalty. “This was not an easy decision because of how much respect and appreciation I have for this program and this university,” he remarked. He emphasized that returning to LSU is deeply personal for him—it’s about going home, to a place significant to both him and his family. In a bid to depart gracefully, he expressed gratitude for his time at NC State, acknowledging the relationships built and the foundation strengthened during his brief tenure. “NC State is positioned for continued success, and I’ll be cheering them on moving forward,” he added, perhaps more for optics than reality given the circumstances.
However, the sentiment may not be mutual. NC State’s athletic director, Boo Corrigan, expressed palpable disappointment at a news conference later that day. He conveyed feelings of betrayal, having trusted Wade’s assurances about his commitment to the Wolfpack during multiple discussions, including a two-hour meeting just two nights prior. In a tone reflecting hurt and disbelief, Corrigan stated, “There was no reason for me in my job not to believe the words that I was hearing coming back to me from Coach Wade…” His feelings mirrored those of many fans who felt misled by Wade’s previous commitments to the program.
From the beginning, there had been whispers about Wade’s potential return to LSU. The chatter intensified when LSU began hiring several of Wade’s former associates, including the new president of LSU, Wade Rousse, and athletic director Heath Schroyer, who had initially hired Wade at McNeese State. The dots connected quickly, leading many to speculate that Wade’s return was imminent—especially considering his prior success at LSU, from 2018 to 2022, where he racked up an impressive 105-51 record.
During his time at LSU, Wade became a household name, celebrated and criticized alike. He managed to lead the Tigers to significant wins, including the SEC regular-season title in 2019, but his tenure was marred by scandal. Wade was fired just before the 2022 NCAA Tournament due to allegations of NCAA infractions, which became public following a high-profile FBI investigation revealing corrupt practices in college basketball. His infamous wiretapped conversation discussing a “strong-ass offer” he made to a recruit exemplified the controversial aspects of his coaching career.
After a year away from coaching, Wade returned to basketball at McNeese State for the 2023-24 season, leading the Cowboys to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Following this brief revitalization, he signed a lucrative six-year, $17.25 million contract with NC State—yet, it appears the allure of LSU proved too strong to resist. Under Wade, NC State managed a 20-14 record in his lone season, just barely scraping into the NCAA Tournament before a first-round exit.
With Wade’s departure, NC State will receive a $4 million buyout—an effort to expedite the transition, despite the figure originally set to drop in the coming days. “We don’t want to be a stepping stone on the way to another job,” Corrigan remarked, hinting at the broader implications of Wade’s swift move back to LSU. His parting words carried a tone of frustrated optimism; he believed they had acquired a coach capable of revitalizing the program, only to see that potential cut short.
As events unfolded, the conversations surrounding Wade’s commitment seemed almost prophetic. At the ACC tournament earlier this month, when directly asked about his interest in LSU, Wade proclaimed his intentions to “win big at NC State,” asserting the resources available to him. Following the loss to Dayton, he reiterated his belief that the current roster was merely “the floor” for what he hoped to accomplish in Raleigh, yet it appears the reality is that he, like many athletes he once recruited, has already claimed a quick exit.
In moving back to LSU, Will Wade re-establishes himself as one of the most polarizing figures in college basketball today. His history is a tapestry woven with both triumph and controversy, making him a character of intrigue—and, for many, a quintessential villain in the complex theatre of college sports.