Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

McNeese State's Will Wade Makes Bold Claim About Villanova's Coaching Search

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Clark Dalton | Last updated Mar 20, 2025 8:18 PM ET

McNeese State head coach Will Wade may have dished the tea on another coaching search.

On Wednesday, ESPN's Jeff Borzello reported that Wade agreed to become North Carolina State's next HC after McNeese State's NCAA Tournament run ends. In a news conference, Wade acknowledged he had contacted N.C. State about its vacancy and told his players his players about it.

"There's no need to hide it," Wade said. "The guys are reading about it on social media. And it's no secret. I'm not gonna ask them to do something I'm not willing to do."

After the No. 12 seed Cowboys upset No. 5 seed Clemson 69-67 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, Wade was asked about the N.C. State rumors again. He deflected the topic to another coaching search.

Will Wade postgame: “Villanova’s trying to buy a coach out who’s in the NCAA Tournament right now!”
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) March 20, 2025

"Villanova is trying to buy a coach out who's in the NCAA Tournament right now," Wade said, per Fox Sports/NBC Sports broadcaster John Fanta.

It's unclear who Wade was referring to. According to Adam Zagoria of NJ.com, Villanova has been connected to three coaches who made the tournament: Maryland's Kevin Willard, New Mexico's Richard Pitino and VCU's Ryan Odom. No. 11 seed VCU lost 80-71 to No. 6 seed BYU on Thursday.

On March 15, Villanova fired HC Kyle Neptune, who went 54-47 in three seasons but never made the NCAA Tournament.

Wade, meanwhile, will try to prevent rumors about his future from distracting his team. The Cowboys will face No. 4 seed Purdue in the round of 32 on Saturday at a time to be announced. If McNeese State wins, it will make its first Sweet 16 in school history.

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

More must-reads: