McNeese coach Will Wade admits contact with NC State, amid reports he's agreed to be Wolfpack's next coach

McNeese men's basketball coach Will Wade has spoken to NC State about its head coach opening and is fine with everyone knowing about it.

Amid reports that Wade has already agreed to become the Wolfpack's next coach, according to OG Media's Joe Giglio and ESPN's Jeff Borzello, a contract has not yet been finalized. The Cowboys are set to play Clemson in a first-round NCAA tournament matchup on Thursday and its likely that nothing will become official until after McNeese has finished its postseason run.

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Wade candidly acknowledged that he or his agents have been in contact with NC State, saying he "addressed it head on" with his current players because they're seeing the rumors on social media.

From my sources: NC State has reached an agreement with Will Wade to be its next men's basketball coach.

There is still the matter of finalizing the deal, and that McNeese is playing in the NCAA tournament, but plans are in place to move quickly when McNeese's season ends
— Joe Giglio (@giglio_OG) March 19, 2025

"I've always kind of been like that," Wade said, via The News & Observer. "There's no need to hide it. The guys are reading it on social media. It's no secret."

"They can read right through the B.S. so you might as well say, 'Hey, this is what it is. Here we are, and we'll figure it out," he added.

Will Wade has his team ready to go for its NCAA Tournament First Round game with Clemson tomorrow afternoon. pic.twitter.com/jd5ktlUHue
— Noah Fleischman (@fleischman_noah) March 19, 2025

However, Wade is expected to be the Wolfpack's new men's basketball coach, according to reports.

If so, he will replace Kevin Keatts, who was fired at the conclusion of the season. NC State did not qualify for the ACC men's tournament with a 5-15 conference record and 13-19 overall mark. The change was made one season after Keatts coached NC State to a Final Four berth.

Wade, 42, has coached McNeese to consecutive Southland Conference tournament titles and automatic NCAA tournament bids. As a result, he's also been named the conference's Coach of the Year for two straight seasons. This season, the Cowboys went 27-6 and 19-1 in the SLC.

In his two seasons at McNeese, his teams have compiled a combined 57-10 record and 36-2 conference mark. He has a .705 winning percentage (253-106) in his career, which includes stops at Chattanooga, VCU and LSU.

Wade was fired from LSU after the NCAA ruled he committed recruiting violations. However, the violations were for making payments to players, something that is considered legal now under Name, Image and Likeness rules.

No. 12 seed McNeese faces No. 5 Clemson (Wade's alma mater) in a Midwest Region matchup from Providence, Rhode Island on Thursday. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. ET.

Topics

McNeese's Wade acknowledges NC State contact

McNeese men's basketball head coach Will Wade acknowledged Wednesday that he has had contact with NC State regarding its head coaching vacancy.
ESPN - 8h
McNeese State’s Will Wade confirms he’s been in contact with NC State about its coaching job

Wade, 42, said he’s always tried to be transparent with both his assistants and players during this time of year.
Yahoo Sports - 4h
Sources: Wade to leave McNeese for NC State job

Will Wade, who has led McNeese to back-to-back Southland regular season and tourney titles, has agreed to be NC State's next basketball coach, sources told ESPN.
ESPN - 1h
McNeese St. coach Will Wade confirms he's been in contact with N.C. State about its coaching job

McNeese State coach Will Wade knows his name is in the mix during the college basketball coaching carousel. Asked Wednesday if he or his agent had been in contact with N.C. State about its ...
Yahoo Sports - 9h
Will Wade to become next North Carolina State men's basketball coach | Reports

Will Wade is set to become the next North Carolina State men's basketball coach after McNeese State's March Madness run is over, according to reports.
Yahoo Sports - 5h
No 'BS': What Will Wade said about NC State basketball coaching search

McNeese State coach Will Wade was asked about the N.C. State basketball coaching search on Wednesday ahead of the NCAA Tournament. Here's what Wade said:
Yahoo Sports - 9h
Will Wade expected to take NC State job at conclusion of McNeese's NCAA Tournament run

Wade is 234-104 across four coaching stops in a decade-plus
CBS Sports - 7h
Clemson basketball faces familiar faces in March Madness vs McNeese State, including Will Wade

Clemson will face McNeese State in March Madness first round. The game will reunite Cowboys coach Will Wade with alma mater.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
NC State fires Keatts a year after Final Four run

NC State fired Kevin Keatts as the school's men's basketball coach, making the move a year after he led the Wolfpack on an unexpected run to the Final Four.
ESPN - Mar. 9

More from Yahoo Sports

Wild's Marco Rossi Exits Seattle Game With Lower-Body Injury

ST. PAUL - Well, the injuries just keep coming for the Minnesota Wild. They entered Wednesday's game without Marcus Foligno for the second consecutive game and also did not have Marcus Johansson ...
Yahoo Sports - 8m
Pacers rally past Mavs

Yahoo Sports - 10m
Jaylin Williams' triple-double helps short-handed Thunder cruise past 76ers 133-100

Yahoo Sports - 14m
Mamukelashvili's career-high 34 points, 7 3-pointers fuel Spurs past Knicks 120-105

Sandro Mamukelashvili was 13 of 14 from the field, including 7 for 7 on 3-pointers, for a career-high 34 points and the San Antonio Spurs upended the New York Knicks 120-105 on Wednesday night. ...
Yahoo Sports - 14m
Nets' Cam Johnson (rest) out Thursday at Pacers

Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson is out for Thursday's game at the Indiana Pacers due to rest, the team announced on Wednesday.
Yahoo Sports - 15m

More in Sports

Wild's Marco Rossi Exits Seattle Game With Lower-Body Injury

ST. PAUL - Well, the injuries just keep coming for the Minnesota Wild. They entered Wednesday's game without Marcus Foligno for the second consecutive game and also did not have Marcus Johansson ...
Yahoo Sports - 8m
Pacers rally past Mavs

Yahoo Sports - 10m
Follow live: Texas, Xavier square off in First Four matchup

null
ESPN - 13m
Jaylin Williams' triple-double helps short-handed Thunder cruise past 76ers 133-100

Yahoo Sports - 14m
Mamukelashvili's career-high 34 points, 7 3-pointers fuel Spurs past Knicks 120-105

Sandro Mamukelashvili was 13 of 14 from the field, including 7 for 7 on 3-pointers, for a career-high 34 points and the San Antonio Spurs upended the New York Knicks 120-105 on Wednesday night. ...
Yahoo Sports - 14m