Will Wade had many options to respond to inquiries about his coaching future. The McNeese State head coach could have evaded the topic, denied any discussions, played the “no comment” card, or offered the standard response of “I’m happy where I am.” Typically, many head coaches — not all, but most — view the media as adversaries and choose to remain tight-lipped to protect their recruiting efforts and competitive advantage. No one wants to reveal too much, especially publicly.
However, Wade took a different approach. When asked if he had spoken with NC State concerning its head coaching vacancy, he provided a straightforward answer: “Yes.”
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
No spin. No evasion. Just a simple, undeniable confirmation. Given a second chance in his career, Wade has embraced transparency, a quality that is not common in the coaching world. While some of his peers have begun to be more open about the challenges posed by NIL, the transfer portal, and the current climate of collegiate athletics, Wade’s candor was viewed as a refreshing shift. Multiple media members praised the 42-year-old for his openness on Wednesday.
Refreshing honesty at the podium from Will Wade. https://t.co/rNdp5B90fz
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) March 19, 2025
The one thing I’ll say about Will Wade is that he’s incredibly honest, and I’m sure his players appreciate that. Love the honesty. https://t.co/q6qh9eZWcB
— Sean Paul (@SeanPaulCBB) March 19, 2025
Wade was previously fired by LSU in March 2022 after the NCAA imposed multiple recruiting violations against him, which followed serious allegations of improper benefits and payments to recruits. His tenure had been scrutinized since a 2019 FBI investigation into corruption in college basketball, where a wiretap reportedly captured him discussing a “strong-ass offer” made to secure a recruit. Consequently, the Tigers dismissed him for cause.
https://embeds.beehiiv.com/a79076af-c414-47ef-96e6-0322628bcaaf" data-test-id="beehiiv-embed" width="480" height="320" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="border-radius: 4px; border: 2px solid #e5e7eb; margin: 0; background-color: transparent;
Now, it appears he may be returning to a Power Four position, potentially as the head coach of the NC State Wolfpack. Despite being previously ousted from a power conference, Wednesday’s honesty suggests he may not remain on the outskirts for much longer. NC State has reached out, and the pivotal question left is whether he will respond positively.
