Former LSU head coach Will Wade was hired by McNeese State

Will Wade is back in college basketball.

The former LSU head coach, who once infamously heard about a “strong offer” for a recruit during a federal wiretapping, was announced Sunday as the new head coach at McNeese State.

Wade was fired from LSU for good cause last year after the university received a notice of allegations from the NCAA. The NOA included five Level I violations and one Level II violation.

Back in August 2020, Yahoo Sports reported that the NCAA had information that Wade “arranged, offered and/or made improper payments, including cash payments, to at least 11 prospective basketball students, their family members and individuals connected to their prospects and/or non-academic.” Coaches in exchange for enrolling prospects at LSU.”

Additionally, LSU suspended Wade in 2019 after Yahoo Sports reported that the coach was heard on an FBI wiretapping openly discussing a “strong offer” for a recruit. The suspension came just before the NCAA tournament. LSU lifted the suspension a month later, and Wade coached the Tigers for three more seasons.

Despite all that, not to mention an ongoing case of NCAA violations involving Wade, McNeese State is bringing him on to run the program.

“I am very pleased to welcome Coach Wade, his wife Lauren and daughter Caroline to Southwest Louisiana and McNeese,” said athletic director Heath Schroyer. “This is a completely different job than three years ago. McNeese Basketball is one of the best jobs in the nation in terms of one-bid leagues. We’re funded at the top of the league, have the best facility, a passionate fan base, and many other built-in benefits. I won’t find any excuses why we can’t win and win big. Honestly, there’s no excuse. Gone are the days of partying, hosting conference tournaments, or accepting mediocrity in all of our sports, let alone basketball.”

Wade has nine seasons of head coaching experience — two at Chattanooga, two at VCU, and then five at LSU. He brought the VCU to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances and won an Atlantic 10 title in 2016. At LSU, Wade’s teams reached three NCAA tournaments and won the 2019 SEC regular-season title.

The story goes on

Overall, Wade, 40, has a record of 196-96 as a Division I head coach.

McNeese State fired head coach John Aiken Wednesday after just two seasons. Aiken had a record of 22-45. McNeese, who competes in the Southland Conference, finished the season 11th–23rd overall with a 6th–12th grade in conference play.