Kristian Ferrell
Will Wade is an American college basketball coach who currently serves as the head men's basketball coach at North Carolina State University. He began his career in basketball as the student manager of the Clemson men's basketball team from 2002 to 2005, working under head coaches Larry Shyatt and Oliver Purnell. After four seasons as a student manager, he went on to become a graduate assistant and then Director of Basketball Operations at Clemson. Wade's first head coaching position was at Chattanooga, where he posted winning overall and conference records and was named the Southern Conference's 2014 Coach of the Year. He then went on to coach at VCU, LSU, and McNeese State University, leading his teams to multiple NCAA tournament appearances and championship wins. Wade is known for his success in building a consistent winning program and has a track record of success at both the mid-major and major conference levels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Frank Williams Wade |
| Date of Birth | November 26, 1982 |
| Alma Mater | Franklin Road Academy, Clemson |
| Spouse | Lauren Deason |
| Children | Caroline Elizabeth |
| First Coaching Position | Director of Basketball Operations at Clemson |
| Current Position | Head Coach at NC State University |
| Previous Positions | Chattanooga, VCU, LSU, McNeese State |
| Notable Achievements | Southern Conference's 2014 Coach of the Year, Led LSU to 3 NCAA Tournament appearances in 4 years, SEC regular-season title |
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Will Wade's coaching career
Will Wade is an American college basketball coach who currently serves as the head men's basketball coach at North Carolina State University.
Wade began his career in basketball as the student manager of the Clemson men's basketball team from 2002 to 2005. He then worked as a graduate assistant (2005–06) and Director of Basketball Operations (2006–07) at Clemson, before being hired as an assistant coach at Harvard. After two seasons, he left to take up an assistant coaching position at VCU under Shaka Smart.
In 2013, Wade left VCU to take up a head coaching position at Chattanooga. In his two seasons at the school, he led the team to their first 20+ win season in 10 years and was named the Southern Conference's 2014 Coach of the Year.
Wade returned to VCU as head coach in 2015, leading the team to its first Atlantic 10 Conference regular-season championship and a 25–11 overall record. In his two seasons at VCU, the team made the championship game of the A10 conference tournament and the round of 32 in the NCAA tournament.
On March 21, 2017, Wade accepted an offer to become the head coach at Louisiana State University (LSU). During his time at LSU, Wade's Tigers won their first five SEC games in a row in the 2018-19 season, the first LSU team to do so since 2005-06. They also claimed two victories over top 5 opponents (Kentucky and Tennessee) in the same season, a feat that hadn't been achieved by LSU since 1980. Wade's Tigers won the Southeastern Conference regular-season championship in 2019 and made it to the Sweet 16 in the 2019 NCAA Championship. Wade was suspended for the final five games of the 2018-19 season, and in 2020, reports surfaced of an ongoing investigation into alleged recruiting violations by Wade. He was terminated as LSU coach on March 12, 2022, following the investigations.
Wade was hired as head coach of McNeese State University on March 12, 2023, and led the team to its first-ever NCAA tournament win. On March 22, 2025, he signed a six-year contract to become the head coach at NC State University.
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Will Wade's time at LSU
Wade's coaching start came at Clemson, where he served as Director of Basketball Operations and Graduate Assistant. He then worked as an assistant coach at Harvard and VCU before landing the head coach job at LSU.
During the 2018-19 season, Wade's Tigers won their first five SEC games in a row, the first time an LSU team had accomplished this since the 2005-06 season. They also claimed two victories over top 5 opponents (Kentucky and Tennessee), which hadn't been done by an LSU team since 1980.
However, Wade's time at LSU was also marked by controversy. On March 7, 2019, it was reported that Wade had discussed a lucrative offer to a recruit, which was overheard on a Federal Bureau of Investigation wiretap. Wade expressed frustration with the situation, saying he was "tired of dealing with the thing". The following day, LSU announced that he was indefinitely suspended amid the FBI's probe.
Wade was reinstated in April 2019 after agreeing to significant modifications to his contract, including the possibility of termination if he committed a Level I or Level II NCAA violation. Despite this, Wade led his 2021 Tigers to the championship game of the SEC Tournament in Nashville and an 8-seed in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
Wade's tenure at LSU ultimately came to an end on March 12, 2022, when he was fired after the NCAA formally served a notice of allegations based on investigations into reports of recruiting violations. In total, Wade accumulated 105 wins at LSU, making him the fourth winningest coach in LSU basketball history.
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Will Wade's time at VCU
In 2013, Wade left VCU to lead the Chattanooga Mocs basketball program as head coach. After two seasons, he returned to VCU to take up the head coaching position vacated by Shaka Smart. In his first season back, Wade guided the team to its first Atlantic 10 Conference regular-season championship and a 25–11 overall record. The Rams made their sixth straight NCAA tournament, one of only eight teams in the country to do so, and made it to the round of 32. Wade finished second in voting for A10 Coach of the Year.
In his two seasons as head coach at VCU, Wade directed the Rams to a 51-20 record and two NCAA Tournament appearances in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017. On March 21, 2017, Wade accepted an offer to become the head coach at Louisiana State University.
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Will Wade's time at Chattanooga
Prior to his role at Chattanooga, Wade had served as an assistant coach at VCU under head coach Shaka Smart. However, in 2013, he left VCU to take on the challenge of leading the Chattanooga Mocs. Wade's impact on the team was immediate, as he guided them to a successful season with a notable number of wins.
Wade's coaching strategy focused on building a strong program with good players, consistent winning, and regular post-season tournament appearances. This approach not only boosted the team's performance but also generated excitement and interest in the Mocs' basketball program. Wade's leadership and tactical skills were instrumental in the Mocs' success during his tenure.
Following his successful stint at Chattanooga, Wade returned to VCU in 2015, taking on the role of head coach. He continued to demonstrate his coaching prowess by guiding the team to notable achievements, including their first Atlantic 10 Conference regular-season championship. Wade's impact on the Chattanooga Mocs left a lasting impression, setting a positive trajectory for the team's future successes.
Wade's career progressed with notable tenures at various institutions, including VCU (2015-2017), LSU (2017-2022), and McNeese State (2023-2025). Throughout his coaching journey, Wade faced challenges, including investigations into alleged recruiting violations during his time at LSU. Despite these setbacks, Wade's overall impact on college basketball has been significant, with a particular emphasis on program building and stability.
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Will Wade's time at McNeese State
Will Wade's tenure at McNeese State University began on March 12, 2023, when he was hired to replace former coach John Aiken. Wade's arrival signalled a new era of success and financial commitment to basketball at the university. He engineered an instant turnaround, leading the McNeese State Cowboys to their first-ever NCAA tournament win in 2025.
Wade's impact was felt immediately, as he identified and pursued high-major transfers, persuading them to join the Southland Conference program. His efforts paid off, with the team accumulating 58 wins in just two years. This included a notable upset victory over Clemson in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, marking a significant milestone for the university.
Wade's time at McNeese State was also characterised by his transparency with his players and the administration. When news broke of his agreement with NC State, Wade was open and direct with his team, ensuring they were not caught off guard by the announcement. This transparency fostered a united front within the team, allowing them to focus on their athletic achievements rather than off-court distractions.
Despite facing ethical questions during his tenure, Wade's success at McNeese State is undeniable. He transformed the Cowboys into a competitive force, showcasing his ability to build a winning programme. Wade's tenure at McNeese State lasted from 2023 to 2025, during which he laid the foundation for the team's future success and elevated their profile within college basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Wade is an American college basketball coach. He is currently the head men's basketball coach at North Carolina State University.
Will Wade has coached at Chattanooga (2013-2015), VCU (2015-2017), LSU (2017-2022), and McNeese State (2023-2025).
Will Wade has had a successful career as a basketball coach. He has led his teams to multiple NCAA tournaments and conference championships. Wade was named the Southern Conference's 2014 Coach of the Year. He also guided the LSU Tigers to their first SEC title in 10 years in 2019.
Will Wade is known for his focus on consistent winning and program stability. He works hard to recruit good players and develop a brand of basketball that will see his teams contend for top spots in conferences.
