CHARLOTTE, N.C. – If you’re an NC State men’s basketball fan who’s been on social media recently, you’ve likely seen rumors swirling about head coach Will Wade’s “potential return” to LSU.
Wade spent five years as the head coach of the Tigers, where he amassed a 105-51 record — fourth in program history — three 20-win seasons and helped LSU to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a run to the Sweet 16 in 2019, before his firing prior to the 2022 NCAA Tournament after accusations of paying players.
But after No. 7 seed NC State’s 81-74 loss to No. 2 seed Virginia in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament, Wade shut down the rumors and reinforced his loyalty to the Wolfpack.
“Is the job open there?” Wade said. “No. I’m excited at NC State. I was hired at NC State to do a job.”
The remarks come after Wade’s preseason promises of a “Red Reckoning” have fallen through as the Pack lost six of its last seven games to end the regular season and fell in the third round of the ACC Tournament.
Fans have speculated as to whether Wade was unhappy with NC State or looking for opportunities elsewhere after expectations weren’t met in his first season at the helm. But remember, the expectations were set by Wade himself.
“This is not a rebuild,” Wade said at his introductory press conference. “We’re going to be in the top part of the ACC and we’re going to the NCAA Tournament.”
It all depends on what you classify as “the top part” of the ACC. While NC State didn’t finish in the top four with a double-bye, the Pack finished in the upper half of the conference and played well enough to earn a first-round bye, finishing seventh in the ACC.
And though it was eliminated from the ACC Tournament by Virginia, NC State’s victory over No. 15 seed Pittsburgh — along with a few key Quad 1 and Quad 2 victories — should have been enough for the Pack to earn an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament, especially since many of the teams on the bubble fell on Wednesday.
Sure, it’s not the trophy or slew of accolades that Wolfpack fans wanted, but a win is a win.
“This wasn’t going to take one year,” Wade said. “I’ve already met with our administration about next year and some of the changes that we need to make, some of the things that we need to do to put this program where it deserves long-term.”
While the “Red Reckoning” claims might’ve set the bar too high, it’s unrealistic to expect a conference title in a head coach’s first season with the team, especially a team that was as bad as the Pack had been. Remember, Wade took over a 12-19 team that didn’t win a single game away from home; a team that was so bad, it became the first team in NCAA history to miss its conference tournament after making the Final Four the season prior.
The simple fact that the Wolfpack has gotten this far this season is more than enough proof of Wade’s impact on the program.
“He changed it a lot,” said sophomore guard Paul McNeil Jr., the only returning scholarship player from last season’s team. “You got more weapons, you got the pieces together, you got the guys. They go hand in hand with the coaches and the players. Coach Wade changed the whole thing.”
Take McNeil, for example. As a freshman under then-head coach Kevin Keatts, McNeil averaged just 8.6 minutes off the bench and 4.2 points per game. Underutilized and underappreciated, McNeil rode the bench for most of the season.
“Sometimes I was in my room at night in the dark crying because I got belief in myself,” McNeil said.
But Wade retained him for a reason. As a full-time starter in his sophomore season, McNeil has blossomed into one of the best shooters in the country, averaging 13.5 points while shooting an ACC-leading 42.3% from beyond the arc, including a collegiate career-high 47 points and a program-high 11 3-pointers against Texas Southern.
“I got a coach that actually believes in me,” McNeil said. “Not just him, but all the other coaches also.”
McNeil was the sole reason NC State was even in contention against Virginia, scoring a game-high 26 points and six 3-pointers.
“He put people on notice about me,” McNeil said. “I appreciate that all the way. That’s real. It was a blessing.”
Wade doesn’t just change programs; he changes players. He instills confidence and helps his guys reach their full potential. Yes, a third-round exit in the ACC Tournament wasn’t the outcome he and the rest of the Wolfpack looked for, but the future is bright for the red-and-white.
“This year hasn’t gone exactly how I wanted it to,” Wade said. “We’re going to rally, and we’re going to work hard. We’re going to have a team next year that’s ready to roll.”
With his LSU days behind him and the rumors squashed, Wade is fully prepared to lead NC State and keep the Wolfpack in both ACC and national contention for years to come.
“We’re going to win big at NC State,” Wade said. “That’s what we’re going to do moving forward, and we have the resources we need. It’s on me and my staff to get the job done.”
