Will Wade named new men’s basketball coach at NC State

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — After a triumphant run at McNeese State, head coach Will Wade has been named the new men’s basketball coach at North Carolina State University on Sunday, just a day after his team exited the NCAA tournament.

Wade, who guided McNeese to a historic season with a 58-11 record over two years, expressed his emotions after the Cowboys’ 76-62 loss to Purdue in the second round. As he wiped away tears, he emphasized his focus on the McNeese program rather than his future. “I’ll worry about that tomorrow. I’m an honest guy, but today I want to put a bow on everything with McNeese,” Wade said.

The Cowboys had achieved remarkable success, including back-to-back Southland Conference titles and their first NCAA tournament victory in school history. “Our program at McNeese is in great shape. We have tremendous leadership. This program is going to keep moving in the right direction,” he stated during the post-game interview.

NC State’s athletic director Boo Corrigan welcomed Wade, stating that he believes Wade can successfully lead the program back to prominence. “Will told me that he believes that he can win at NC State … and ‘win big,’” Corrigan said in his announcement.

Wade’s arrival at NC State marks a significant transition as he replaces Kevin Keatts, who was let go after an underwhelming 12-19 season. Keatts had earlier led the Wolfpack to an ACC tournament title but couldn’t sustain the momentum amidst a challenging season.

Wade, 42, has a storied coaching journey, having previously led teams at Chattanooga, VCU, and LSU. His coaching tenure at LSU ended after a scandal involving recruiting violations. Despite the setbacks, Wade quickly revitalized his career at McNeese by cultivating a winning culture that placed the program back on the map.

As he embarks on this new chapter at NC State, Wade has ambitious goals. He acknowledged the challenges of coaching in the competitive Atlantic Coast Conference, especially with the historical excellence of teams like North Carolina and Duke. “NC State’s rich tradition, passionate fan base, and location in one of the best cities in the country make this a destination job,” Wade said in a statement.

The upcoming season at NC State poses a new challenge for Wade, who will need to navigate roster changes and player retention amid the opening of the NCAA transfer portal. “We’ll figure out next steps,” he mentioned while discussing his commitment to McNeese.

Wade’s imminent introduction as the Wolfpack’s coach is anticipated during a press conference scheduled for Tuesday. This marks a pivotal moment in his career as he aims to foster growth and excellence within the NC State basketball program.