Will Wade left his job as the head coach at North Carolina State on Thursday to return to the same post at LSU.
The 43-year-old coach announced the move on social media before LSU made it official.
Wade previously was the head coach of the Tigers from 2017-22, guiding the program to three NCAA Tournament appearances in those five seasons. He had an overall record of 105-51 and a Southeastern Conference mark of 56-33 with LSU before being fired for cause in 2022 amid an NCAA probe that left the program with significant sanctions.
“This was not an easy decision, because of how much respect and appreciation I have for this program and this university,” Wade said of leaving the Wolfpack after one season. “But the opportunity to return to Louisiana State University is deeply personal. It’s a chance to go home — to a place that means a great deal to me and my family.”
— Will Wade (@CoachWadeNCSU) March 26, 2026
With Wade returning, LSU fired Matt McMahon.
“We are excited to welcome Will back home as the next head coach of the LSU Men’s Basketball program,” LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry said in a statement. “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.”
Wade guided McNeese State to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2024 and 2025 before helping NC State to the Big Dance with a 20-14 record in 2025-26.
LSU recently hired former McNeese State president Wade Rousse as its system president and added the latter school’s athletic director, Heath Schroyer, as the senior deputy athletic director on Thursday.
Wade was asked about rumors linking him to LSU on March 12 after the Wolfpack dropped an 81-74 decision to Virginia in the ACC tournament.
“Is the job open there?” Wade said at the time. “No? Listen, let me be very clear. I’m excited at NC State. I was hired at NC State to do a job. This wasn’t going to take one year. I’ve already met with our administration about next year and some of the changes that we need to make and some of the things that we need to do to put this program where it deserves long-term.”
NC State athletic director Boo Corrigan said in a Thursday press conference that he learned of the news via an email from Wade’s agent. He mentioned having a two-hour talk with Wade on Tuesday night regarding the state of the basketball program after Wade’s first season.
“I was as surprised and shocked as anyone else as this occurred based on the previous conversations that we had,” Corrigan said.
“I believed he was telling me his true intentions. I’m disappointed for our athletic department. I’m disappointed for our fans, and I’m disappointed for our university that we’re here today.
“That being said, as soon as we received notice of his resignation, the search began, and we are committed to finding the next coach for our men’s basketball program that wants to be at NC State that understands who we are, that understands that we’re a tough school, that understands that we’re a great academic institution, that understands that our fan base has very high expectations and can embrace that.”
McMahon, 47, went 60-70 since taking over as LSU head coach in 2022-23. He has never posted a winning record in SEC play, going 3-15 in the conference each of the past two seasons. LSU was 15-17 overall this season.
McMahon was hired after leading Murray State to a 153-67 record and three trips to the NCAA Tournament.
–Field Level Media
