NC State basketball officially has its guy.
On Sunday, the Wolfpack announced that the university has officially hired McNeese basketball coach Will Wade to be the successor to Kevin Keatts. It’s a six-year deal for Wade and is pending approval by the NC State Board of Trustees, per NC State’s news release.
Wade, who has also held head coach stints at Chattanooga, VCU and LSU, just finished his second season at McNeese on Saturday, which came after losing to No. 4 Purdue in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Cowboys, a 12 seed in March Madness, upset No. 5 seed Clemson in the first round.
REQUIRED READING: Will Wade ‘can’t wait to get started’ as NC State basketball coach
“I am beyond excited and honored to be chosen to lead the Wolfpack basketball program,” Wade in a statement. “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.”
Wade led McNeese to a historic NCAA Tournament run this past season, as the Cowboys made their second consecutive trip to the Big Dance for the first time in program history and won their first-ever March Madness game on Thursday against his alma mater, No. 5 Clemson.
In two seasons at McNeese, Wade led the Cowboys to a 50-9 overall record and two Southland Conference regular season and tournament titles. Before coaching at McNeese, Wade spent five seasons at LSU but was fired after the 2021-22 season after an investigation found him violating NCAA recruiting protocols.
As previously noted by The Fayetteville Observer, Wade is expected to bring Amir “Aura” Khan, the viral McNeese student manager who became a March Madness sensation, with him to NC State. Wade won’t have much time to celebrate his next job, as he will have to get straight to work at rebuilding the Wolfpack program with the NCAA transfer portal opening on Monday.
Here’s a snippet of reactions on social media on Wade being hired at NC State:
College basketball reacts to Will Wade hired at NC State
Players and coaches were emotional after Will Wade spoke with McNeese one final time 🥺😢
Wade is taking the HC job at NC State next season pic.twitter.com/drrrHuBwSi
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 22, 2025
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: NC State hires Will Wade: Social reactions of McNeese coach hiring
