LSU are reportedly attempting to bring Will Wade back from NC State to be their next basketball coach. Matt McMahon’s future at LSU is uncertain, according to reports. The feeling amongst NC State fans is that Wade may be departing after just one season.
LSU’s Pursuit of Wade Intensifies
“The push from LSU to land Wade has reached a different level, and all signs point to him taking the position in Baton Rouge,” according to a report. LSU are working to hire Heath Schroyer as a Senior Administrator. Schroyer and LSU President Wade Rousse previously hired Wade to lead at McNeese. LSU has not announced anything regarding McMahon’s future.
Wade led the Wolfpack to the NCAA Tournament in his first season. He was previously fired by LSU in 2022 after the Tigers received a Notice of Allegations from the NCAA concerning alleged rules violations during his five-year tenure.
Wade’s Response to LSU Rumours
Wade served a 10-game suspension with a two-year show-cause penalty for recruiting and bribery violations from LSU. He landed at McNeese a year later. Prior to NC State’s NCAA Tournament loss to Texas, Wade dismissed rumours about a move to LSU.
“No, is the job open there? Huh? No? So why would I …,” Wade said. “Listen, to be very clear I’m excited at NC State. I was hired at NC State to do a job and 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 and some of the things we need to do to put this program where it deserves long term.
“I’m not on social media. I’m not into gossip or any of that sort of stuff. Look, we’re going to win and we’re going to win big at NC State. That’s what we’re going to do moving forward. We have the resources we need to get the job done. We’re going to rally, work hard and have a team next year that’s ready to roll.”
NC State’s Season and Future Plans
Wade and the Wolfpack finished the season with a 20-14 record. They faded down the stretch, losing six of their final eight games. NC State found itself on the bubble prior to its 68-66 loss to Texas. During his post-game, Wade didn’t sound like a coach who was eyeing a one-and-done in Raleigh.
“We’ve got a lot of things we’ve got to reset for next year,” Wade said after his team’s NCAA Tournament loss to the Longhorns. “We didn’t have the year we wanted to have. We’ve got a lot of things that we need to make sure that we’re in better shape for moving forward.”
“(They) are on the verge of bringing him (Wade) back to Baton Rouge,” Rothstein said on social media.