The tea leaves and local and national reports alike continue to gain steam toward a long-floated and increasingly likely Will Wade return to LSU.
“There’s not just major, major momentum to a reunion,” said CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, one of the nation’s top news-breakers in the sport with a track record for doing so throughout Wade’s career. “I’m telling you, barring something unforeseen, Will Wade is going to be the next coach of LSU.”
Wade, who recently completed his first season at North Carolina State, led the Tigers to a 105-51 record during five seasons in Baton Rouge from 2017 to 2022, including an NIT appearance in his debut campaign followed by three NCAA Tournament appearances and another sure-fire selection cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic.
His résumé ranks fourth all-time in program history in victories, including the highest winning percentage among the last 18 coaches to hold the position during the past 100-plus years.
But a drawn-out saga surrounding alleged recruiting violations stemming from an FBI investigation into the sport led initially to a 2019 standoff, suspension and restructured contract, an eventual referral by the NCAA to the Independent Accountability Resolution Process and a 2022 termination following a formal NCAA notice of allegations.
McNeese State, led by athletic director Heath Schroyer, hired Wade in 2023 after a year out of coaching and kicked off a historic run that included a 19-win turnaround in his first year and the program’s first back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances and first victory in the tournament.
Wade departed Lake Charles for Raleigh, N.C., last spring, and LSU has since cleaned house in several key leadership positions including succeeding president William Tate with governor Jeff Landry-supported candidate Wade Rousse, a longtime McNeese State administrator who was promoted during Wade’s tenure from executive vice president to president.
LSU athletic director Scott Woodward was simultaneously pushed out in what was announced as a mutual parting of ways and was quickly replaced by longtime administrator Verge Ausberry.
And, now, Rothstein and others have reported the Tigers are nearing the addition of Schroyer to the department and that the move would signify another big step in an ongoing pursuit of Wade, who has been long known to be intrigued by the idea of another opportunity in purple and gold.
“Can confirm LSU is working to bring McNeese AD Heath Schroyer to Baton Rouge,” Matt Moscona, the host of “After Further Review” on ESPN 104.5 in Baton Rogue and publisher of LouisianaSports.net, shared via Twitter. “The combination of Schroyer and LSU president Wade Rousse is thought to be enough to lure Wade back to LSU. Wade’s $5 million buyout at NC State drops to $3 million after April 1. LSU is content to wait another week to make a move.
“With coaching carousel in full swing and portal deadline approaching, the sides could negotiate a settlement of the buyout, should Wade choose to accept the LSU job. If Wade stays in Raleigh, Matt McMahon will return at LSU’s coach next season.”
McMahon has meanwhile struggled to replicate his successful tenure at Murray State and has compiled a 60-70 overall record in four seasons with the Tigers with one top-12 SEC finish and one NIT appearance in 2024.
But signs increasingly point to a growing likelihood that Wade will indeed return to Baton Rouge, where he spent nearly half of his 12-season head coaching career and rejuvenated the program back into consistent contention.
WILL WADE CAREER HEAD COACHING RECORDS
Season ———— University ——— Overall —— Conf ———— Postseason
2013-14 ——— Chattanooga ——— 18-15 —— 12-4 ———— CIT – first round (0-1)
2014-15 ——— Chattanooga ——— 22-10 —— 15-3 ————
2015-16 ————— VCU ————— 25-11 —— 14-4 ———— NCAA – Round of 32 (1-1)
2016-17 ————— VCU ————— 26-9 —— 14-4 ———— NCAA – appearance (0-1)
2017-18 ————— LSU ————— 18-15 —— 8-10 ———— NIT – second round (1-1)
2018-19 ————— LSU ————— 25-5 —— 15-2 ————— NCAA – Sweet 16 (2-1)
2019-20 ————— LSU ————— 21-10 —— 12-6 ———— (COVID pandemic)
2020-21 ————— LSU ————— 19-10 —— 11-6 ———— NCAA – Round of 32 (1-1)
2021-22 ————— LSU ————— 22-11 —— 9-9 ———— NCAA – appearance (0-1)
2023-24 ——— McNeese State ——— 22-2 —— 17-1 ———— NCAA – appearance (0-1)
2024-25 ———McNeese State ——— 28-7 —— 19-1 ———— NCAA – Round of 32 (1-1)
2025-26 ———— NC State ———— 20-14 —— 10-8 ———— NCAA – First Four (0-1)