Will Wade 'can't wait to get started' as NC State basketball coach

Will Wade will be the next NC State basketball coach, the university announced Sunday afternoon.

Wade has signed a six-year deal, pending approval by the N.C. State Board of Trustees, according to a school-issued release.

“I am beyond excited and honored to be chosen to lead the Wolfpack basketball program,” Wade said in a school-issued statement.

“N.C. State’s rich tradition, passionate fan base, and location in one of the best cities in the country make this a destination job and I can’t wait to get started. I would like to thank Boo Corrigan and Chancellor (Randy) Woodson for this awesome opportunity. My family and I look forward to being a part of Wolfpack nation.”

Wade, 42, has led McNeese State to a 58-11 record and consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. The Cowboys beat Clemson in the opening round of March Madness before losing to Purdue in the round of 32.

NO 'BS': What Will Wade said about NC State basketball coaching search

NCAA TOURNAMENT PICKS: Who will win March Madness? NCAA Tournament bracket predictions, Final Four picks

When N.C. State fired former coach Kevin Keatts on March 9, Wade soon emerged as a top candidate to lead the Wolfpack. N.C. State followed an ACC Tournament championship and Final Four run with a losing season, becoming one of three teams to miss the ACC Tournament.

Boo Corrigan, Randy Woodson discuss NC State hiring Will Wade

Following the announcement, N.C. State athletics director Corrigan and chancellor Woodson provided their thoughts on the hiring of Will Wade.

“I am excited and proud that Will Wade will be the next head coach for Wolfpack men’s basketball,” Corrigan said. “I went into this search with an open mind and had great conversations with several outstanding candidates from across the nation. But after speaking extensively with Will and others who know him well, I knew that he was the right leader for the Wolfpack.

"He is a tough coach with proven results on the court and he has grown and improved at every coaching stop. He is known for having great relationships with his players and he will hold them, his staff and himself accountable. Will told me that he believes that he can win at NC State … and ‘win big.’ It didn’t take me too many conversations with him to believe it too.”

Like Corrigan, Woodson highlighted Wade's credentials as a coach.

"We are thrilled to welcome Will Wade as the new head coach of NC State Men's Basketball,” Woodson said. “With a proven track record of excellence and a commitment to building a supportive culture for student-athletes, Will is the perfect leader to guide the Pack basketball program to new heights."

Where can I watch Will Wade press conference for NC State basketball coach?

Wade will be formally introduced as the 21st head coach in program history Tuesday at a private event in Reynolds Coliseum which will be streamed live for the general public at 1 pm on GoPack.com and ACC Network Extra. Photo opportunities for fans will be available beginning at 3 pm at Coaches’ Corner on the northwest corner of Reynolds Coliseum.

Will Wade coaching record

A Clemson graduate, Wade has won 70% of his games in 11 seasons as a head coach. He has a 254-107 record, starting his career at Chattanooga before going to VCU and LSU. He's won six conference championships, including back-to-back conference tourney titles at McNeese State. In seven of his 11 seasons, Wade's teams have made the NCAA Tournament.

Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Will Wade discusses being hired as NC State basketball coach

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 - 5d
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 - 5d
Report: Former LSU coach Will Wade named men's basketball head coach at NC State

Former LSU basketball coach Will Wade is heading to NC State. The news broke once day before McNeese begins its NCAA Tournament journey.
Yahoo Sports - 5d
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 - 5d
Amid NC State reports, Will Wade has big reaction to McNeese State's March Madness upset

McNeese State basketball coach Will Wade, reportedly hired at NC State, soaked in Thursday's upset of No. 5 seed Clemson in March Madness bracket.
Yahoo Sports - 4d
NC State officially announces hiring of McNeese’s Will Wade as new Wolfpack men’s basketball coach

N.C. State has made it official: McNeese’s Will Wade is the Wolfpack’s new men’s basketball coach.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
NC State officially announces hiring of McNeese's Will Wade as new Wolfpack men's basketball coach

N.C. State has made it official: McNeese's Will Wade is the Wolfpack's new men's basketball coach. The school announced the hiring Sunday, coming a day after Wade's McNeese team lost to Purdue in ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
'Aura' in the transfer portal? Viral McNeese manager Amir Khan likely to follow Will Wade to NC State

Wade has signed a six-year deal to coach at NC State, a source said, and his star manager may well join him later this year in North Carolina
CBS Sports - 2d
McNeese's Will Wade signs a 6-year deal to become NC State coach, AP source says

McNeese coach Will Wade has a signed six-year deal to take over as N.C. State's next coach, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Saturday. Wade's second NCAA ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
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 - 5d
Everything future NC State coach Will Wade said after McNeese's exit from 2025 NCAA Tournament

Wade guided the Cowboys to a second-round appearance against Purdue
CBS Sports - 2d
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 - 5d
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 - 5d
Report: McNeese’s Will Wade signs a 6-year deal to become NC State coach

Wade’s second NCAA Tournament run in as many seasons with the Cowboys ended Saturday with a second-round loss to Purdue.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Will Wade's unabashed honesty and transparency is why NC State wants him and why McNeese is still dancing

The most honest coach in college basketball will soon be off to the ACC, but first: a date with Purdue awaits Saturday in the second round
CBS Sports - 4d
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 - 5d
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
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 - Mar. 17
March Madness 2025: Amir Khan, viral McNeese manager, expected to join coach Will Wade in moving to NC State

Khan became an internet and TV sensation during the first weekend of the NCAA tournament due to a viral video of him blasting rap on a boombox with McNeese players.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Wade not ready to talk new job after McNeese exit

An emotional Will Wade said he wasn't ready to look ahead to his new job at NC State following McNeese's second-round loss in the NCAA tournament.
ESPN - 2d
NC State basketball coaching search 2025: Candidates, hot board, names to watch by Wolfpack insiders

The Pack Pride team just revealed their top North Carolina State coaching candidates after Kevin Keatts was fired on Sunday
CBS Sports - Mar. 11
Will Wade agrees to NC State job on six-year deal after McNeese's season ends vs. Purdue in NCAA Tournament

Wade revitalized his career the past two seasons with McNeese; his hiring is expected to be made official Sunday
CBS Sports - 1d
NC State women’s basketball to face Vermont to open March Madness in 2025 NCAA Tournament

NC State women's basketball earned the No. 2 seed in the Spokane Regional for March Madness. Here's more.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17
Michigan State women's basketball eliminated from NCAA Tournament after loss to NC State

The Michigan State women's basketball season came to a close on Monday when they were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament by No. 2 NC State
Yahoo Sports - 22h
Will Wade's impending departure a price McNeese is happy to pay for revived basketball program

McNeese President Wade Rousse sat down with Will Wade when he hired him as basketball coach and laid out a two-year plan: Make the NCAA Tournament in the first year, and win a game in the second. ...
Yahoo Sports - 4d
NC State fires coach Kevin Keatts a year after improbable ACC title and Final Four run

N.C. State fired men’s basketball coach Kevin Keatts on Sunday, an abrupt end to an eight-year tenure coming less than a year after the Wolfpack’s improbable run to the Atlantic Coast Conference ...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 9
NC State fires men's basketball coach Kevin Keatts after 8 seasons

Keatts coached the Wolfpack to three NCAA tournament bids during his six seasons in Raleigh and advanced to the Final Four in 2024.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 9
Vermont women's basketball will face NC State to open March Madness: Bracket update

It's UVM women's basketball vs. NC State in March Madness to open the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Here’s what to know about the first-round game in Raleigh
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17
Vermont women's basketball vs. NC State game time for today's NCAA Tournament game

What time does Vermont women’s basketball play NC State in March Madness today? Here’s the game time for the first-round matchup.
Yahoo Sports - 3d
No. 15 Vermont women's basketball falls short of historic upset against No. 2 NC State

Despite Keira Hanson's 21-points off the bench, No. 15 Vermont women's basketball couldn't complete the historic upset at No. 2 NC State.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
LSU, Kim Mulkey vs NC State game time set for Sweet 16 matchup in Spokane

What time does LSU women's basketball play NC State in the Sweet 16? Here's the game time for the 2025 NCAA Tournament matchup.
Yahoo Sports - 3h
Who does Michigan State women's basketball play next round of the 2025 NCAA tournament

Here's a bracket update for game against NC State University
Yahoo Sports - 2d
State championship coach remembers Russell roots

Thirty-three years ago, a senior girl at Russell High School came excruciatingly close to getting a coveted taste of a Sweet Sixteen. Now 333 miles away, Amy Sarratt has coached her girls ...
Yahoo Sports - 6d
Michigan State women's basketball falls to NC State 3-point barrage in March Madness

The Michigan State women's basketball season ended Monday afternoon in second round of NCAA tournament against North Carolina State.
Yahoo Sports - 23h
Auburn hires Norfolk State's Vickers as coach

Auburn has hired Norfolk State coach Larry Vickers to be its women's basketball coach.
ESPN - 1d
Auburn women's basketball hires Norfolk State coach Larry Vickers

Auburn has hired Norfolk State coach Larry Vickers to be its women's basketball coach, the school announced Sunday. Vickers led Norfolk State to consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
How LSU fans reacted to Will Wade leading McNeese to NCAA Tournament win

McNeese upset Clemson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Here's how LSU fans reacted to their former coach getting the win.
Yahoo Sports - 4d
New Brad Brownell contract getting finalized for Clemson basketball coach | Reports

Clemson is reportedly finalizing a new contract that would keep Brad Brownell as its basketball coach through 2031.
Yahoo Sports - 6d
Why the wait was sweet for Jackson County in 1st win of TSSAA boys basketball state tournament

It was a program first on Wednesday when Jackson County's boys defeated Jackson Central-Merry in the TSSAA boys basketball state tournament.
Yahoo Sports - 5d