Will Wade has been appointed as the new head coach of NC State, following two seasons at McNeese, as announced by NC State. The official announcement was made on Sunday, just one day after McNeese’s exit from the NCAA tournament in the second round, where they lost to Purdue. This news comes several days after Wade acknowledged that he had discussions with NC State prior to the commencement of the NCAA tournament.
In a press conference held before the Cowboys’ first-round NCAA tournament game against Clemson on Thursday, Wade confirmed that he had indeed communicated with NC State regarding its coaching vacancy. He openly stated that he or his representatives had been in touch with the institution, mentioning that he had “addressed it head on” with his current players, as they were aware of the rumors circulating on social media.
A few hours following the press conference, reports indicated that Wade had already reached an agreement to accept the position, as per OG Media’s Joe Giglio and ESPN’s Jeff Borzello. Nevertheless, a formal contract had yet to be completed.
Kevin Keatts, who was fired at the end of the season, will be replaced by Wade. NC State’s 13-19 overall record and 5-15 conference record prevented them from making it to the ACC men’s tournament. One season after Keatts led NC State to a Final Four berth, the change was made.
McNeese has won back-to-back Southland Conference tournaments and qualified for the NCAA tournament under Wade’s coaching. Wade is 42. He has thus won the conference’s Coach of the Year award for two consecutive years. The Cowboys went 27-6 and 19-1 in the SLC this season.
His teams have a combined 57-10 record and a 36-2 conference record in his two seasons at McNeese. Over his career, which includes spells at Chattanooga, VCU, and LSU, he has a.705 winning % (253–106).
After the NCAA determined that Wade had engaged in recruiting violations, he was dismissed from LSU. He received a 10-game suspension and a two-year show-cause penalty. The violations, however, concerned paying players, which is now permitted by the Name, Image, and Likeness rules.
McNeese, a No. 12 seed, defeated No. 5 Clemson on Thursday but lost to No. 4 Purdue on Saturday in the second round.
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