LSU Rehires Controversial Coach Will Wade After Four-Year Absence
Louisiana State University (LSU) has reportedly fired its fourth-year basketball coach Matt McMahon and is finalising an agreement to rehire Will Wade, the former Tigers coach who was dismissed in 2022 amid a recruiting scandal. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the development to the Associated Press on Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity as neither university has made a formal announcement.
Wade's Controversial Dismissal and Career Rebuild
Wade's anticipated return to Baton Rouge comes four years after his controversial dismissal from LSU. He was fired following allegations of money-fueled recruiting violations, which emerged during a broader federal corruption investigation into college basketball. Since leaving LSU, Wade successfully rebuilt his coaching career with a two-year stint at McNeese State University, where he amassed 50 wins and guided the team to two March Madness appearances.
Recent Statements and Contractual Implications
Just two weeks prior to this news, Wade had publicly addressed speculation about his potential return to LSU after N.C. State's loss in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament. He emphasised his commitment to N.C. State, stating, "I was hired at NC State to do a job. This wasn’t going to take one year." He also noted that the LSU position was not open at the time. His departure from N.C. State triggers a $5 million buyout clause in his six-year contract, a figure that will drop to $3 million after April 1.
The move marks a significant turnaround for Wade, who faced severe scrutiny during his initial tenure at LSU. The rehiring decision is likely to spark debate among fans and analysts, given the previous allegations and his subsequent rehabilitation at McNeese. LSU's athletic department has not commented on the reports, leaving many questions unanswered about the timing and rationale behind this unexpected coaching change.
