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.
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LSU has not reached the NCAA men’s tournament since Wade’s final season in Baton Rouge in 2022, although 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 last season when they finished 15-17 overall.
REQUIRED READING: Will Wade buyout at NC State: What would the coach owe the Wolfpack if he went to LSU?
Rumors about Wade’s potential return have been circulating for some time. It gained some traction 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 ahead of the 2023-24 season.
Here’s the latest on Wade’s return to LSU. Follow for live updates:
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Will Wade Live Updates: LSU Basketball Makes Coaching Change
This story will be updated live.
LSU Reportedly ‘Expected’ to Hire Will Wade Today
CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported 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 dismissed 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 the investigations, and Wade faced accusations of paying recruits in the pre-NIL era of college athletics.
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“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,” read the statement titled “LSU Community” from then-LSU President William Tate and Director of Athletics Scott Woodward in 2022. “We can no longer subject our University, Department of Athletics, and most importantly, our student-athletes, to this grueling and already lengthy process without taking action.”
In 2023, Wade was given a two-year show cause order and a 10-game suspension for his first season at McNeese State. However, the NCAA’s 2022 findings against Wade were not the first time he was caught violating NCAA guidelines and policies during his tenure with the Tigers.
Will Wade to leave 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, such as LSU, before his contract expires. That payment drops to $3 million on April 2.
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Details of Will Wade’s contract 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.
A total of $14,756,250 million remains in the remaining five years of Wade’s contract with NC State, according to his contract obtained by USA TODAY Network. Here is his base salary year by year, starting in 2027:
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Wade return to LSU basketball? Tigers expected to bring back NC State coach