Proven Winner:: Wade arrives with 11 years of head coaching experience, securing seven NCAA Tournament berths, including the last five consecutive opportunities.
Recent Success:: He spent the last two seasons at McNeese, achieving a 50-9 record, back-to-back Southland Conference regular season and tournament titles, and consecutive Coach of the Year awards.
SEC Experience:: Prior to McNeese, Wade coached LSU for five seasons, winning an SEC regular-season title in 2019 and reaching multiple NCAA Tournaments.
Leadership Endorsement:: NC State Athletic Director Boo Corrigan and Chancellor Randy Woodson expressed confidence in Wade's leadership, coaching ability, and potential to achieve significant success ('win big') with the Wolfpack.
Why this matters:: This hire signals NC State's ambition to elevate its basketball program, bringing in a coach known for quick turnarounds and consistent postseason appearances. It aims to reinvigorate the fanbase and compete at a higher level in the ACC.
NC State Athletics confirmed Will Wade as the 21st head coach of the men's basketball program, securing him with a reported six-year contract, pending Board of Trustees approval. Wade's appointment follows a successful two-year stint at McNeese, where he dramatically improved the program, compiling a remarkable 36-2 record in Southland Conference play.
His coaching journey includes head coaching positions at Chattanooga (where he won SoCon Coach of the Year), VCU (leading them to two NCAA Tournaments), and LSU (securing an SEC Championship). Across these roles, Wade demonstrated an ability to build competitive teams, evidenced by his overall 246-105 head coaching record prior to joining NC State.
Athletic Director Boo Corrigan highlighted Wade's toughness, results, player relationships, and accountability as key factors in the hiring decision. Wade himself expressed excitement about NC State's tradition and fanbase, calling it a 'destination job'.
The hire comes shortly after Wade led McNeese to its first-ever NCAA tournament win (an upset over Clemson) before falling to Purdue. While emotional about leaving McNeese, Wade indicated a plan was in place for that program's continued success. Now, his focus shifts to building a competitive roster at NC State, navigating the transfer portal, and preparing for the challenging ACC landscape.
Who is Will Wade?
Will Wade is the newly appointed head men's basketball coach at NC State, previously head coach at McNeese, LSU, VCU, and Chattanooga.
What is Wade's coaching record?
Heading into the NC State job, Wade holds a career head coaching record of 246 wins and 105 losses.
Why did NC State hire Will Wade?
NC State cited Wade's proven track record of winning, leading multiple programs to the NCAA Tournament, his ability to build relationships with players, and his belief in achieving significant success ('win big') at NC State.
NC State is making a significant move to boost its men's basketball program's competitiveness.
Fans can expect a coach focused on toughness, accountability, and achieving postseason success.
The immediate focus will be on roster building, utilizing the transfer portal to shape the team for Wade's first season.
How do you think Will Wade will fare in the competitive ACC? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
*Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!*
Will Wade to Lead Men’s Basketball Program - NC State University Athletics
Illinois guard Andrej Stojakovic faces a crucial decision regarding the 2026 NBA Draft, with the deadline for early entrants looming. His ch...
Kam Mercer, a highly-rated sophomore basketball player from Princeton High School, has verbally committed to the University of Cincinnati (U...
LSU basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal added another achievement to his long list of accomplishments, receiving a Master of Liberal Arts deg...
Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady is set to become a strategic advisor for Wagner College’s men’s basketball team, joining his son Laymen, who rec...
⚠ Disclaimer: Yanuki provides article summaries and links for reference only. Yanuki does not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources. Please review original sources and verify information independently. Managed by the Yanuki Data Engine. Full Disclaimer