PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND – MARCH 20: Head coach Will Wade of the McNeese State Cowboys celebrates … More
Will Wade has officially been named the new men’s basketball coach at N.C. State, one day after his McNeese State team lost to Purdue in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The deal is reportedly for six years. He replaces Kevin Keatts, who was fired earlier this month.
“I am excited and proud that Will Wade will be the next head coach for Wolfpack men’s basketball,” said N.C. State AD Corrigan. “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.”
Wade had said last week in Providence, R.I. that his representatives were in talks with N.C. State, and indicated that he was open with his players about it.
“I am beyond excited and honored to be chosen to lead the Wolfpack basketball program,” said Wade. “NC 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 Woodson for this awesome opportunity. My family and I look forward to being a part of Wolfpack nation.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Will Wade as the new head coach of NC State Men’s Basketball,” said NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson. “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.”
A native of Nashville, Tenn., Wade has previously served as head coach at VCU, LSU and McNeese. He was fired by LSU in 2022 after the FBI investigation into bribery in college basketball, but he rehabilitated his career at McNeese, where he led the Cowboys to back-to-back Southland Conference regular season and tournament championships and was named the Southland Conference Coach of the Year both seasons. He compiled a 50-9 record at McNeese, including a 33-1 home record.
He leaves McNeese as the winningest coach in Southland Conference history in terms of winning percentage with a .947 mark (36-2) in regular season conference contests.
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