Major ACC Program Has Spoken to McNeese State Coach Will Wade Before NCAA Tournament

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Spencer Ostrow | Last updated Mar 19, 2025 12:57 PM ET

The NCAA Tournament is officially underway, with the First Four games kicking things off. As teams prepare for their Round of 64 matchups, which start Thursday, many head coaches are addressing the media and fielding questions.

Among them is McNeese State head coach Will Wade, whose team is set to take on Clemson in the Midwest Region’s 12-5 matchup on Thursday at 3:15 p.m. ET.

Wade has led McNeese State to back-to-back Southland regular season and tournament titles, and consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.

With speculation swirling about other schools reaching out to him for coaching vacancies, a reporter asked Wade about the rumors.

"I lay it all out there to my players, and my players have laid it all out there to me," he answered. "We are transparent. We’ve shared it all with each other."

When asked specifically about the NC State Wolfpack, Wade confirmed he had spoken with them.

“Yes,” he said.

Will Wade on rumors of other schools contacting him: “I lay it all out there to my players, and my players have laid it all out there to me. We are transparent. We’ve shared it all with each other.”

On if he’s talked with NC State about their head coaching vacancy: “Yes.” pic.twitter.com/Ac9w53zaf7
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) March 19, 2025

NC State fired head coach Kevin Keatts earlier this month, just one season after he led the Wolfpack to the Final Four. He spent eight years in Raleigh.

When looking at Wade, his resume speaks for itself. In addition to his two successful college basketball seasons at McNeese State, he led LSU to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including an SEC regular-season title in 2018-19. Before that, he guided VCU to two NCAA Tournament berths.

With 11 seasons of head coaching experience at the college level, the 42-year-old has compiled a career record of 253-106.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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