McNeese's Will Wade Made History in NCAA Tournament Before ACC Move

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Mar 20, 2025 6:29 PM ET

After a disappointing 2024-25 college basketball season for the NC State Wolfpack, missing the ACC Tournament just one year removed from making the Final Four, the program elected to dismiss coach Kevin Keatts.

The Wolfpack have reportedly replaced Keatts with McNeese Cowboys head coach Will Wade.

Wade has spent the last two seasons with McNeese, making it to two NCAA Tournament appearances. However, on Thursday, before his move to the ACC, Wade and his No. 12 seed Cowboys pulled off the first big upset of this year's tournament, defeating Wade's alma mater, the No. 5 seed Clemson Tigers, 69-67.

Although McNeese only won by two points, they had control of the game for the majority, going up by over 20 points at one time. It also won despite going in as 7.5-point underdogs (ESPN BET).

The win over Clemson marked a big accomplishment for McNeese, becoming the only NCAA Tournament win in school history. Wade, who will get to coach his team for at least one more game, expressed how proud he was of his players after the game.

"We made school history," Wade said. "We've never won a game. We didn't have much history when we got there. We've broken almost every record. I'm just so proud for our guys. For our university, our president, our athletic director. It's incredible. This changes our university."

Will Wade and @McNeeseMBB make history.

The incredibly excited coach joins @EvanWashburn after the remarkable win. pic.twitter.com/JEOdb4zvwd
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 20, 2025