In a bold move that raised eyebrows across college basketball, NC State hired Will Wade despite his controversial past. Now, basketball insiders are calling it the “best hire of the cycle,” with one analyst stating, “I mean, Will Wade at NC State, you are not gonna find a better fit, right? Those fans are out of their minds. They want somebody who will fight Jon Scheyer, who will fight North Carolina.”
“The Perfect Match” – Why Wade and NC State Make Sense
The decision to replace a coach who had just reached the Final Four demanded justification. As one panelist noted “They let a coach go that went to the final four. So, you have to, like if you’re going to hire somebody after this guy just went to the final four, you better hire the right guy.”
Wade arrives after an impressive 50-9 run at McNeese State that included back to back NCAA Tournament appearances.
Basketball analysts cannot stop talking about the Wade-NC State partnership, with one panelist stating, “I thought Will Wade was going to NC State, I don’t think you can get a better match than those two schools right now for what they’re trying to do.”
The fiery coach brings 11 years of head coaching experience and seven NCAA Tournament berths across his career.
Wade’s defensive mindset addresses NC State’s needs precisely. As one analyst noted, “he’s a defensive guy and we know he can recruit and work his tail off. Forget the pass and everything else, all that stuff.”
The program has already secured commitments from transfers Tre Holloman, Terrance Arceneaux and Quadir Copeland, with analysts projecting further additions.
Wade’s journey through adversity has transformed him. “He’s a different guy. I found myself defending him and people that want to crush him and say things about his past,” one panelist shared, adding, “He’s grown so much, and I think he’s a hell of a basketball coach.”
After his controversial exit from LSU in 2022, Wade took an unconventional path. “Will Wade moved to Chattanooga and helped start a trucking company there. Like, he was out of it. And he goes to McNeese.
Not the easiest place to go and turn a program around in Louisiana,” explained another analyst. At McNeese, Wade won Southland Conference Coach of the Year twice and secured the program’s first-ever NCAA tournament win.
KEEP READING: Will Wade Sets Transfer Portal Ablaze Recruiting 8 High-Impact Players to NC State
The panel emphasized that NIL resources are crucial in today’s landscape, with one analyst saying Wade has money to start at NC State. With national experts already placing the Wolfpack in the top 45 preseason rankings, Wade faces high expectations as he has the track record to deliver.
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