Will Wade Set to Join NC State Following Successful Run at McNeese

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WTVD) — Will Wade has reached an agreement to become the next head coach of the North Carolina State Wolfpack, sources confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday. Wade’s agreement comes as he leads the McNeese Cowboys into the NCAA tournament, where they face the Clemson Tigers in the first round on Thursday.

Wade, 42, has had a notable career in college basketball, accumulating a winning record at every institution he has been part of. Over the past two seasons at McNeese, he has guided the Cowboys to a remarkable 49-8 record and back-to-back Southland Conference titles, earning him Coach of the Year honors for both seasons.

In a press conference earlier Wednesday, Wade addressed the ongoing speculation regarding his potential move to NC State, stating, “There’s no need to hide it. The guys are reading it on social media. It’s no secret and I’m not going to ask them to do something I’m not willing to do.”

Reports indicate that an official announcement regarding Wade’s appointment is expected following McNeese’s exit from the NCAA tournament. The Cowboys are a No. 12 seed and will face No. 5 Clemson at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence at 3:15 p.m. ET, broadcast on TruTV.

Wade previously coached the LSU Tigers from 2018 to 2022, where he led the team to the NCAA tournament three times, achieving the program’s first Southeastern Conference (SEC) regular-season championship in a decade in 2019. His tenure at LSU ended when the university announced his termination just before the NCAA tournament in 2022 after receiving a notice of allegations from the NCAA detailing multiple violations associated with Wade.

Before his time at LSU, Wade had successful stints as head coach at VCU and Chattanooga, where he demonstrated a consistent ability to win, including two NCAA tournament appearances with the Rams. At VCU, Wade compiled a record of 51 wins over two seasons, achieving significant success in conference play.

Regarding his coaching philosophy amid the NCAA tournament, Wade noted the parallels between coaches’ job searches and players’ moves within the transfer portal. “I don’t want to hear any complaining about calling kids in the portal while we’re at the NCAA tournament because half the coaching staffs in the country, those assistants are trying to get other jobs, too,” he said.

As he prepares for the match against Clemson, Wade reflected on his ties to the university, where he graduated in 2005. He noted his personal connections to Clemson’s football program and the impact it has had on his coaching journey. “I get nervous [watching Clemson football]. I follow the recruiting closely,” Wade shared.

NC State is looking to rebuild following a challenging season, having posted a record of 12-19, including 5-15 in the ACC. Wade’s extensive experience and winning track record make him a significant acquisition for the Wolfpack as they seek to return to prominence.