Have you heard of the name Will Wade? You probably have. He’s a fantastic basketball coach with a fiery mindset very likable. He coached Chattanooga, VCU, LSU, McNeese, North Carolina State and now LSU again. Leading all three teams to the NCAA Tournament. He even beat Clemson at McNeese and almost upset Purdue. He does have some shady history that many people may not know but should know.

Will Wade made his coaching debut in 2013 at Chattanooga and lead them to a 119-56 point victory. What a way to start huh, just at 31 too. It would only be a couple years before he’d join VCU then eventually Louisiana State University. He spent 5 pretty successful years in Baton Rouge ( 2017-2022) leading his team to many accomplishments. In 2019 he won the SEC championship and made it to the Sweet Sixteen before losing to Michigan State 80-63.

Wade was loved around LSU, his fiery spirit really inspired his players and fans. He was not afraid to speak his mind. He was the guy ok, he was here to stay. But the athletic director of LSU was forming a quite different kind of relationship. There were rumors that he was breaking some rules down there in the swampy land of Louisiana. But in 2022 those were not rumors, they were reality. He had 5 violations of the NCAA.

1. Impermissible recruiting payments
2. Hush money and extortion
3. Non-Cooperation
4. Lack of Head-Coach Control
   The non cooperation was child like behavior from the guy who stormed around campus preaching “toughness”. Wade made life as hard as possible during the investigation into his mess of corruption he was in. He straight up lied to officials many times trying to help save his position. The Athletic Director, Scott Woodward was already not a huge fan of Wade games so he fired him right before the NCAA tournament. I just want to make this clear, Wade was having a great amount of success. He was 108-54 during his (first) campaign at LSU.
   

After his very dramatic and successful exit out of Baton Rouge it would take a couple months before another team came knocking. This team was McNeese State. McNeese is in the Southland Conference, they have been mediocre for the past couple seasons. But, they hired Will Wade in 2023. Wade had said that he has put his mistakes behind him. He is a new man and is ready to start a new life in Texas. He would get two years to prove himself. And prove himself he did. McNeese State absolute dominated the Southland Conference winning two titles in two years. In 2024 he played Clemson in the first round of the NCAA tournament. McNeese would beat the number 5 ranked Tigers 69-67 advancing to the second round. He also had quite a famous and trendy student manager. Amir “Aura” Khan. This kid brought the vibes and spotlight to this team. He went hella viral on social media. The cheerleaders were wearing Sox with his face on it. He even signed NIL deals with Buffalo Wild Wings.

Wade had built something in Texas that would last. But, he’d find himself in more controversy. Right before the NCAA he had signed a contract to be the next head basketball coach of North Carolina State. Many had an odd thought of why did hed make this public during the tournament. But it was eventually brushed off after McNeese lost to Purdue in the round of 32. Wade was seen in tears after the loss in the locker room with his team.

A trip to Tobacco Road it was. The wonderful state of North Carolina (Please note the bias there). Will Wade had gotten himself back into a power four conference, and non better than the ACC. Wade had one hell of a job to do to get this team right. NC State was just two years removed for a miraculous final 4 run back in 2024. But the next season they failed to make the ACC tournament. Again Wade told everyone that his past experience at LSU where completely behind him, he was a new person. Wade had yet another rebuild challenge, and he had something to say about it. Everything im quoting is from Wade’s introductory press conference.

“Your gonna get the same passion and fire I had at LSU but without the issues, I’ve grown and matured since then, your gonna get the best version here at Nc State.”

“ I’m excited to get started, our time is right now. This is the first time in a while the fans, the administration, and the program were all on one accord. Everyone on the same page, everyone singing from the same sheet of music. And when that happens for Nc State it’s going to be a reckoning for the ACC and a reckoning for college basketball and it’s coming and coming soon.

“I want to be very clear this is not a rebuild we are going to be in the top part of the ACC next year and we’re going to the NCAA tournament. make sure you got that on camera. This is gonna be done.

Yes very bold statements from Wade. Speaking for the entire NC State community we were fired up. This guy had our back, the reckoning was on!

Wade was correct about being at the top of the ACC, well for the most part the Wolfpack finished 7th but was in the top 5 for most of the season. They had elite scoring but horrible defense. They lost by 40+ points three times. Wade had yet another viral interview. This is regarding Darrian Williams, State spent Millions of dollars to bring him over from Texas Tech and he was massively under performing. When I’m about to quote is from an interview.

Reporter- “What’s your concern level on Darien?”

Wade- “absolutely zero, I’m tired hearing about freaking Darren. He’s fucking playing well. That’s a terrible question, terrible question. Let let let me be clear, (raising his voice) he effects winning and everyone’s out here bitching about him and all this stuff, he effects winning. He was + 13 against ole Miss and did not hit a shot. And everyone’s acting like the world caving in. The guys a damn good player. Didn’t score well but who had zero turnovers? DARRION WILLIAMS, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, zero turnovers. So everyone needs to shut the hell up about him. He’s a damn good player. His shot will fall. I’m tired of handling questions about him. He’s really good, (yelling now) we are thankful to have him.”

People look at this in two ways, he’s sending a message to his players that he has their backs. And he quite frankly lost his shit. Before we continue hi Wade it’s me Landon from the independent. Darrian did effect winning he consistently let everyone down every game. With the exception of the UNC game. And yea we have every right to be upset, we are not a huge school. We cant afford to waste MULTIPLE MILLIONS of dollars!

After barely making the NCAA tournament and staying out of controversy Wade faced a first four game against Texas. The Pack had seen them earlier in the season losing to them 102-97. NC State had fallen off of a cliff after the Christmas break. Completely losing all consistency and going on a massive losing streak. But they were in the big dance just as Wade promised. Very little controversy and a pretty successful season. But, Wade found himself in more trouble. There were many many rumors that he was talking about leaving NC State only one year into his 5 year contract and heading to LSU. He denied all of them multiple times. Saying “I’m focused on NC State”. Unfortunately After blood, sweat and (my) tears State was eliminated from the dance. Again Wade was asked about leaving for LSU he said “nope back to work as usual, as soon as that plane lands in Raleigh he have work to do. I’m committed to NC State”. That was yet another lie from Wade. A couple days later Nc States Athletic Director received an email from Wade agent saying he is resigning and going to be returning to LSU. That’s all. Wade had met with Boo just yesterday about budget and player coast. The next day he was back in his swap of Louisiana. He took States coaching staff and recruits with him. LSU bought out his contract. It was done.

Wade faced immense backlash from NC State fans. Apparently Wade had had plans with LSU for months. He was always going to leave later found out. Almost every player on that Wolfpack team would leave for other school. Including my beloved and rising star Matt Able went to States rival The University of North Carolina. The dirty Foot Club. Everything all at once fell for the pack and there was only one man to blame.

Wade would later send out an apology letter on social media. Someone put it through a AI scanner and it came back to 100% AI. Wade was asked about it but never commented. When he got to LSU he said the same thing he did at State. We will win and win now, all that jazz. State wanted to schedule a game against LSU in Raleigh but Wade stepped in and made sure that did not happen. So State tried again for the ACC/SEC Challenge but again they ran away saying no. He would also mock the WolfPack faithful.

Moral of the story, Wade’s a lying snake. He has been and always will be. Nothing can change that. But Wade if you join RateGame and see this I want to tell you something from the deepest point in my heart. As much as I want to hate you I will not. Thank you for a successful year. I wish you luck, I forgive you. But if you step foot back in Raleigh, watch your damn ass.

Thank you for reading all the way through! Go Wolfpack!