He’s back.
In a shocking development, Louisiana State has hired Will Wade as its next head coach, the school announced on Thursday. Wade, who spent this past season at NC State, was the coach at LSU from 2017-22 before a high-profile investigation into recruiting violations led to his firing.
Wade is set to replace Matt McMahon, who will be dismissed on Thursday after four seasons in command. The Tigers did not reach the NCAA Tournament amid McMahon’s tenure, compiling a 60-70 overall record (17-55 in SEC play).
“We are excited to welcome Will back home as the next head coach of the LSU Men’s Basketball program,” said Verge Ausberry, LSU Vice President and Director of Athletics. “As LSU fans know well, Will is a consistent winner, a diligent program-builder, and a charismatic leader with an incredible ability to connect with his student-athletes and the fan base. Not only does he bring his postseason pedigree and an energetic presence, but he is innovative and strategic at a time in college athletics that requires both. We are thrilled to have Will and his family with us in Baton Rouge again.
“I want to thank Matt McMahon for his dedication and contributions to LSU and the basketball program over the last four seasons. He was a tremendous ambassador for the university and cared deeply about our student-athletes and our program. We wish him and his family all the best going forward.”
Given Wade’s history at LSU and that he just arrived in Raleigh a year ago, the move is a complete stunner.
“This was not an easy decision, because of how much respect and appreciation I have for NC State, but the opportunity to return to Louisiana State University is deeply personal,” Wade said. “This is our chance to come home — to a place that has shaped me, where the passion for basketball runs deep, and where the expectations match the opportunity. LSU represents something bigger — it’s about competing at the highest level in the best conference in the country, in front of one of the most passionate fan bases in college basketball. The resources, the commitment, and the alignment at LSU makes it a place where we can build something special and sustainable.”
Prior to NC State’s 68-66 First Four loss to Texas on March 17, Wade dismissed rumors that he was contemplating a return to Baton Rouge.
“No, is the job open there? Huh? No? So why would I…,” Wade said then. “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.”
Speculation that Wade might rejoin LSU began growing over the last few days following reports that the school on the verge of hiring McNeese athletic director Heath Schroyer as a senior administrator. Wade worked alongside Schroyer for two years at McNeese (2023-25), guiding the Cowboys to an astounding 50-9 overall record and back-to-back NCAA Tournaments. LSU also hired former McNeese president Wade Rousse in November 2025.
Of course, Wade’s success in Lake Charles came after his highly controversial exit from LSU. He became the coach of the Tigers in 2017 following short stints at Chattanooga (2013-15) and VCU (2015-17). In his second season at the helm (2018-19), LSU won the SEC regular-season title, but Wade became embroiled in a massive FBI probe into corruption and bribery in college basketball. Rather infamously, he was caught on a federal wiretap discussing a “strong-ass offer” made to a recruit with aspiring agent Christian Dawkins, a central figure in the probe. Wade was suspended indefinitely in early March 2019, and Tony Benford served as the interim head coach during the program’s run to the Sweet Sixteen in that year’s NCAA Tournament.
A month later, Wade was reinstated, agreeing to an amended contract that allowed the university to fire him with cause if he was found to have committed any Level I or Level II NCAA violations. The investigation continued while Wade resumed his coaching duties. Ahead of the 2022 NCAA Tournament, LSU received a notice of allegations from the NCAA detailing significant misconduct by Wade. He was accused of five Level I violations and one Level II violation, prompting his immediate dismissal.
Wade did not coach in the 2022-23 campaign, as his case was under review by the NCAA’s Independent Accountability Resolution Panel. Many wrote him off, assuming the scandal would effectively torpedo his career. Wade previously told Hoops HQ that he had doubts about whether a Division I school would take a chance on him again, especially while the investigation was still pending. “I didn’t know how many schools would take the risk before knowing what everything would be,” he said. “But McNeese was certainly the most aggressive and the most willing. I’m extremely appreciative of that.”
McNeese hired Wade in March 2023, three months before the NCAA dropped the hammer, assessing him a two-year show-cause order and a 10-game suspension. His impressive two-year stint with the Cowboys paved the way for him to return to the high-major level, joining NC State in March 2025. At his introductory press conference, Wade was adamant that the program was not in rebuilding mode. “We’re going to be in the top part of the ACC next year and we’re going to the NCAA Tournament,” he said. “Make sure you got that on camera. This is going to be done the right way, and it’s going to be done quickly. We are here to win.”
NC State was able to reach the Big Dance but fell short of expectations, finishing seventh in the ACC with a 10-8 league record (20-14 overall) and getting bounced in the First Four. The crushing loss to Texas last week marked the end of the astonishingly short Wade era.
Meet your guide
