Will Wade is back in power conference basketball, announced on Sunday as the new head coach at NC State. Wade spent the last two seasons at McNeese, where he won back-to-back Southland regular season and Tournament titles. His 12-seed Cowboys upset 5-seed Clemson, Wade’s alma mater, earlier this week in the first round before getting eliminated yesterday by Purdue.
“I am excited and proud that Will Wade will be the next head coach for Wolfpack men’s basketball,” said AD Boo Corrigan. “I went into this search with an open mind and had great conversations with several outstanding candidates from across the nation. But after speaking extensively with Will and others who know him well, I knew that he was the right leader for the Wolfpack. He is a tough coach with proven results on the court and he has grown and improved at every coaching stop. He is known for having great relationships with his players and he will hold them, his staff and himself accountable. Will told me that he believes that he can win at NC State … and ‘win big.’ It didn’t take me too many conversations with him to believe it too.”
Wade was at the center of controversy while at LSU, when wire-tapped conversations caught him discussing making financial offers to recruits. He served a suspension in for the final five games of the 2018-19 season but later returned to coach the Tigers through 2021-22, when he was let go as a result of a number of other recruiting violations coming to light.
McNeese offered Wade a lifeline in 2023 and both parties benefitted greatly, with Wade getting back in the game and the program rocketing to the top of the Southland hierarchy. With how much the landscape of college athletics has changed in the last few years – players are pulling in six- and seven-figure deals to play major college basketball – Wade’s past transgressions are largely allowed now and the focus can be on his coaching and roster building acumen instead.
“I am beyond excited and honored to be chosen to lead the Wolfpack basketball program,” said Wade. “NC State’s rich tradition, passionate fan base, and location in one of the best cities in the country make this a destination job and I can’t wait to get started. I would like to thank Boo Corrigan and Chancellor Woodson for this awesome opportunity. My family and I look forward to being a part of Wolfpack nation.”
NC State parted ways with previous head coach Kevin Keatts earlier this month after eight seasons at the helm. He was on a very hot seat the last few years but bought himself an extra season by winning the ACC Tournament in 2024 and then making a surprise run to the NCAA Final Four as an 11-seed.