Will Wade to LSU: Latest news on NC State coach leaving to return to Tigers
LSU men's basketball appears to be making a coaching change and bringing back a former head coach.
The Tigers, according to multiple reports, are planning to officially part ways with LSU coach Matt McMahon and bring back former Tigers coach Will Wade, who was fired by the athletic department for cause just four seasons ago and finished his first season at North Carolina State.
LSU has not made the Men's NCAA Tournament since Wade's final season in Baton Rouge in 2022, though Wade did not coach the Tigers in that game. Since then, the Tigers have not had the same level of success seen under Wade, as the program has had three losing seasons under McMahon, including this past season, when they finished 15-17 overall.
The rumor of Wade's potential return has been circulating for some time. It gained some traction on Wednesday when reports emerged that LSU was working on hiring McNeese athletic director Heath Schroyer for a senior administrator position in Baton Rouge that would oversee the Tigers' men's basketball program. Schroyer hired Wade at McNeese before the 2023-24 season.
Here's the latest on Wade returning to LSU. Follow for live updates:
Will Wade live updates: LSU basketball makes coaching change
This story will be updated live
Will Wade buyout at NC State negotiated
NC State athletic director Boo Corrigan told reporters on March 26 that LSU paid a $4M buyout to bring Will Wade back to the Tigers. That is a negotiated buyout for Wade, as his buyout was $5 million before April 1 if he took a different job, as noted by USA TODAY.
Will Wade releases statement: Opportunity to return to LSU is 'deeply personal'
Will Wade has broken his silence, releasing a statement on his social media page confirming he will return to LSU after just one season at NC State. In his statement, Wade called the decision "not an easy" one and said that the chance to return to LSU is "deeply personal" to him.
Report: Matt McMahon 'dismissed' at LSU
The next domino in LSU's plan of bringing Will Wade back has landed. According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, the Tigers have dismissed Matt McMahon after four seasons.
Click here to read more on why the Tigers relieved McMahon of his duties.
Report: Will Wade signs 7-year deal with LSU
According to multiple reports, Will Wade has signed a seven-year deal to return to LSU. While a deal between the Tigers and Wade has been agreed to, LSU has yet to announce it has parted ways with current Tigers coach Matt McMahon.
Will Wade to LSU is 'done deal'
CBS Sports' Matt Norlander reports on Thursday that Will Wade's return to LSU is a "done deal." It'll be a one-and-done season at NC State for Wade, who dismissed any potential rumors of him returning to the Tigers at the ACC tournament.
"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 to be long-term," Wade said at the ACC tournament.
"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."
Will Wade 'has discussed' assistant coaching staff at LSU
A former SEC head coach tells USA TODAY Sports' John Brice that Wade’s talks with LSU are advanced enough that Wade has discussed his projected staff at LSU.
LSU reportedly 'expected' to hire Will Wade today
CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein reports on Thursday that LSU is expected to "part ways" with current Tigers coach Matt McMahon today, and officially hire Wade to take over the program.
Why did Will Wade leave LSU the first time
Wade was fired for cause by LSU in 2022 after the NCAA accused him of committing multiple Level I and Level II violations, including "lack of institutional control." The FBI was also involved in investigations, with Wade facing allegations of paying recruits in the pre-NIL era of college athletics.
"After receiving the Notice earlier this week, we took several days to fully evaluate it and engage in deliberate and thoughtful discussions about our next steps," the statement titled to the "LSU Community" read from then LSU President William Tate and athletics director Scott Woodward in 2022. "We can no longer subject our University, Department of Athletics, and—most importantly—our student-athletes, to this taxing and already-lengthy process without taking action."
In 2023, Wade was assessed a two-year show-cause order and a 10-game suspension for his first season at McNeese State. The NCAA's 2022 findings against Wade weren't the first time they caught him violating NCAA guidelines and policies during his tenure with the Tigers, though.
Will Wade buyout at NC State if Wolfpack coach leaves
According to Wade's contract, obtained by the USA TODAY Network, he would owe NC State $5 million if he were to leave the Wolfpack for another job, like LSU, before the end of his contract. That payout drops to $3 million on April 2.
Will Wade contract details at NC State
Wade signed a six-year, $17.25 million contract in March 2025, according to The Fayetteville Observer, part of the USA TODAY Network.
There is a total of $14,756,250 million left across the remaining five years of Wade's contract with NC State, according to his contract that was obtained by the USA TODAY Network. Here is his year-by-year base salary, beginning in 2027:
- $2.65 million
- $2.8 million
- $2.95 million
- $3.1 million
- $3.26 million
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