Will Wade returning to LSU four years after his ugly exit

Sometimes, everything comes full circle. For Will Wade, that’s certainly the case.

Wade, who served as NC State’s head coach this year, has reportedly bolted to LSU for his second stint with the program after just one season with the Wolfpack, CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported Thursday.

The 44-year-old will take the spot of former LSU head coach Matt McMahon, who is expected to be fired Thursday as well.

The report comes after Wade shot down the rumors that he was considering returning to LSU after NC State’s ACC Tournament loss to Virginia.

“We’re gonna win and we’re going to win big at NC State,” Wade said. “That’s what we’re gonna do moving forward, and we have the resources we need.”

Instead, he’s a one-and-done at the program, just to return to a school where he was fired for breaking multiple NCAA rules, including offering money to recruits before it was legalized.

In five years with the Tigers from 2017-22, though, Wade brought the program to national prominence. He won the regular-season SEC title in 2019 and made the NCAA Tournament in three of his five years in Baton Rouge.

Wade sat out coaching for a season before becoming McNeese State’s head coach from 2023 to 2025, where he made March Madness in both campaigns.

In the second, he helped the Cowboys upset No. 4 seed Clemson in the first round. Then, he swiftly jumped to NC State, signing a six-year, $17.25 million contract. The Wolfpack eventually lost 68-66 to Texas in the First Four to end the season — and now Wade’s tenure.

NC State and Wade could reach a settlement, but as of right now, Wade’s buyout will drop to $3 million on April 1.

His move back to LSU was foreshadowed by the university hiring many of Wade’s former associates. That started with McNeese president Wade Rousse in November, while McNeese athletic director Heath Schroyer is expected to be hired as a senior administrator.

Wade also has a strong relationship with Lee Mallett, the chairman of LSU’s Board of Supervisors, from his initial stint with the Tigers.

Now, the Wolfpack will become the fifth ACC team without a head coach. Of note, Syracuse replaced Adrian Autry with Gerry McNamara, while North Carolina’s spot is currently vacant after firing Hubert Davis.