McNeese St. coach Will Wade confirms he's been in contact with N.C. State about its coaching job
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — McNeese State coach Will Wade knows his name is in the mix during the college basketball coaching carousel.
And unlike some coaches during this time of year, he's not being coy talking about it.
Asked Wednesday if he or his agent had been in contact with N.C. State about its opening, the second-year McNeese State coach addressed the rumor mill directly.
“Yes,” Wade said during 12th-seeded McNeese State's news conference in advance of its NCAA Tournament Midwest Region first-round matchup with fifth-seeded Clemson.
N.C. State fired coach Kevin Keatts on March 9, an abrupt end to an eight-year tenure that saw the program’s fall this year prove too much to overcome even when framed against last season’s remarkable finish. The announcement came a day after the Wolfpack closed a 12-19 season and failed to even qualify for the ACC Tournament as the reigning champion.
Though he didn't elaborate on the extent of his contact with N.C. State, Wade's name has since been linked to the Wolfpack job and other schools after finishing up his second straight 20-win season at McNeese that ended with an NCAA tourney berth. The Cowboys enter this year's tournament with 27-6 record and fresh off their second straight Southland Conference championship. He previously spent five seasons at LSU, two seasons at VCU and two at Chattanooga.
Wade, 42, said he's always tried to be transparent with both his assistants and players during this time of year.
“Just tell it like it is,” Wade said. “You may not always like what I’m going to say, but I’m going to tell you what I think. I’ve always kind of been like that, and there’s no need to hide it. The guys are reading it on social media. It’s no secret. I’m not going to ask them to do something I’m not willing to do. It’s no good if you don’t address it and if you sit there and BS them. They can read right through the BS, so you might as well. Hey, this is what it is. Here we are, and we’ll figure it out."
___
AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness
-
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 - 1h -
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 - 4h -
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 - 6h -
McNeese coach Will Wade admits contact with NC State, amid reports he's agreed to be Wolfpack's next coach
Wade told reporters that he was up front with his current players since they were seeing the rumors on social media anyway.Yahoo Sports - 3h -
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 -
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 - 2h -
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 -
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-plusCBS Sports - 3h -
Coaches Will Wade, Brad Brownell preview McNeese State-Clemson NCAA tournament matchup
The 12-5 matchups have historically created some of the most memorable games in tourney history and Thursday’s game might make for another.Yahoo Sports - 32m
More from Yahoo Sports
-
First Four announcers for Princeton vs Iowa State: Who's calling the ESPNU game?
Who's calling the opening game of the 2025 women's NCAA tournament?Yahoo Sports - 25m -
First Four announcers for Princeton vs Iowa State: Who's calling the ESPNU game?
Who's calling the opening game of the 2025 women's NCAA tournament?Yahoo Sports - 25m -
All-Star guards Thompson, Haliburton to miss Mavs-Pacers game as Anthony Davis progresses
All-Star guards Klay Thompson and Tyrese Haliburton have been ruled out of Wednesday’s game between the Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers. Thompson will not play because of an illness, another ...Yahoo Sports - 26m -
All-Star guards Thompson, Haliburton to miss Mavs-Pacers game as Anthony Davis progresses
All-Star guards Klay Thompson and Tyrese Haliburton have been ruled out of Wednesday’s game between the Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers. Thompson will not play because of an illness, another ...Yahoo Sports - 26m -
Texans named 'best fit' for top 2025 WR draft prospect
The Houston Texans could be back in the running for the one wide receiver everyone wants to reunite with C.J. Stroud.Yahoo Sports - 29m
More in Sports
-
First Four announcers for Princeton vs Iowa State: Who's calling the ESPNU game?
Who's calling the opening game of the 2025 women's NCAA tournament?Yahoo Sports - 25m -
First Four announcers for Princeton vs Iowa State: Who's calling the ESPNU game?
Who's calling the opening game of the 2025 women's NCAA tournament?Yahoo Sports - 25m -
All-Star guards Thompson, Haliburton to miss Mavs-Pacers game as Anthony Davis progresses
All-Star guards Klay Thompson and Tyrese Haliburton have been ruled out of Wednesday’s game between the Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers. Thompson will not play because of an illness, another ...Yahoo Sports - 26m -
All-Star guards Thompson, Haliburton to miss Mavs-Pacers game as Anthony Davis progresses
All-Star guards Klay Thompson and Tyrese Haliburton have been ruled out of Wednesday’s game between the Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers. Thompson will not play because of an illness, another ...Yahoo Sports - 26m -
Texans named 'best fit' for top 2025 WR draft prospect
The Houston Texans could be back in the running for the one wide receiver everyone wants to reunite with C.J. Stroud.Yahoo Sports - 29m