There are several reasons to believe that NC State Wolfpack coach Will Wade is returning to the LSU Tigers. On Wednesday, March 25, several reports pointed to Wade returning to the Tigers program after four years, with current head coach Matt McMahon still in the loop.
In a video uploaded by @1045espn on X/Twitter, sports analyst Hunt Palmer shared his thoughts on why signs are pointing towards Wade leaving NC State after just one year and heading back to the Louisiana-based program. According to Palmer, these signs stem from the fact that the factors that led Wade to leave LSU in 2022 are no longer there.
“Will Wade has eyes on Baton Rouge. The man that fired him, Scott Woodward, is no longer here. The rules that got him ousted are no longer in place, and his image is somewhat rehabilitated. So connecting these dots is not super difficult to do… Just kick the can. Will is not saying anything. He’s not coming out on social media. He’s not making a statement that he’s staying,” Palmer said.
“They haven’t signed. He hasn’t signed a contract extension…You connect the dots. The dots are easy to connect. Will Wade has eyes on Baton Rouge? I don’t think that’s an outlandish statement to make. John Rothstein is essentially reporting it and every single move that LSU has made in the last 10 months can be connected to Will Wade,” he continued.
As mentioned, Wade served as the head coach of the Tigers as recently as 2022, where he spent five years, joining in 2017. LSU missed out on the 2026 national tournament once again, finishing the 2025-26 campaign with an overall record of 15-17 (3-15 SEC), and were eliminated in the first round of this year’s SEC tournament.
The 2025-26 NC State Wolfpack Were Trounced In The First Four Of The NCAA Tournament
Unlike the LSU Tigers, coach Will Wade and the 2025-26 NC State Wolfpack at least earned a shot at this year’s NCAA tournament. They were named one of the First Four teams.
Unfortunately for Wade and company, they lost to coach Sean Miller’s Texas Longhorns by just two points, 68-66, on March 17. The Wolfpack finished the year with an overall record of 20-14 (10-8 ACC).
Read More: Despite Texas Win, Sean Miller Laments NCAA Tournament’s “Anxiety” as Will Wade Puts Up a Fight
Also Read: Inside Will Wade’s Family Life: Meet the NC State Coach’s Biggest Supporters
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