Former LSU Basketball Coach Will Wade Continues to Excel at McNeese: A New Chapter in His Career

After a turbulent and controversial exit from LSU, Will Wade has found a new home at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The former LSU basketball coach, who was at the center of a high-profile scandal during his tenure with the Tigers, has quickly proven that his coaching acumen remains intact. His success at McNeese is indicative of his resilience and determination to prove himself once again, both as a leader and a developer of young talent.

Wade’s tenure at LSU was marked by both success on the court and controversy off it. The NCAA investigation that ultimately led to his firing in 2022 cast a long shadow over his career, but Wade’s ability to rebuild and find success at McNeese has made it clear that his coaching talents are undeniable. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at Will Wade’s journey, his success at McNeese, and what the future holds for him in the world of college basketball.

The LSU Tenure: Highs, Lows, and Controversy

Will Wade’s time at LSU was marked by moments of brilliance and great promise, though it was also marred by controversy and a scandal that ultimately cost him his job. Wade was hired by LSU in 2017 after a successful run at VCU, where he revitalized the program and made a name for himself as an up-and-coming coach. At LSU, he was expected to continue the success of the program, and for much of his tenure, he did just that.

Wade inherited a team that had underperformed in previous years, and in his first season, he guided the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament, a significant improvement. His ability to recruit top talent was immediately apparent, with LSU landing high-profile recruits like Tremont Waters and Naz Reid. Wade’s offensive system, which emphasized fast-paced play and ball movement, helped LSU become one of the most exciting teams in the SEC.

In his third season at LSU (2019-2020), Wade led the Tigers to their best finish under his leadership, securing a second-place finish in the SEC and a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Wade had transformed LSU into an elite program, and his success on the court had many believing that the Tigers were on the verge of becoming a perennial national contender.

However, Wade’s success at LSU was overshadowed by off-the-court issues. In 2017, Wade was implicated in an FBI wiretap investigation that suggested he was involved in illicit recruiting practices. Though Wade vehemently denied any wrongdoing, the investigation lingered over his head, causing a cloud of uncertainty around his future. In March 2022, Wade was dismissed from LSU after a lengthy NCAA investigation that ultimately found him in violation of recruitment rules.

Despite his success on the court, the controversy surrounding Wade’s departure from LSU left many questioning his future in coaching. Some wondered if his career would be derailed by the scandal, while others believed that he would find redemption in a new environment.

The Move to McNeese State

In 2022, after a short hiatus from coaching, Will Wade found a new opportunity at McNeese State University, a program in the Southland Conference. The hiring was met with a mixture of skepticism and excitement. McNeese, a program that had not been a major player in the college basketball landscape for many years, was taking a chance on a coach with a significant amount of baggage but undeniable talent.

The decision to hire Wade made sense for both sides. For McNeese, hiring a coach with Wade’s pedigree was a bold move aimed at turning the program around. For Wade, it was a chance to rebuild his reputation and prove that he still had what it took to lead a successful basketball program. Despite the controversy surrounding his exit from LSU, Wade was determined to regain his status as one of the top coaches in college basketball.

In his first season at McNeese, Wade wasted no time getting to work. He quickly began implementing his system and recruited talented players to build a competitive roster. The turnaround at McNeese wasn’t instantaneous, but there were clear signs of progress. Wade’s emphasis on team defense, fast breaks, and offensive spacing began to take shape, and McNeese became a much tougher opponent in the Southland Conference.

Success at McNeese: Turning the Program Around

Under Will Wade’s leadership, McNeese State University has experienced a noticeable improvement. Wade has been able to make significant strides with a program that had struggled in recent years. In just his first season, McNeese showed signs of life, playing with more intensity and structure than in previous seasons. The success that Wade brought to LSU appears to be translating well to McNeese, and the program has shown rapid improvement since his arrival.

Recruiting and Player Development

One of Wade’s trademarks as a coach is his ability to recruit and develop talent, and that ability has been on full display at McNeese. While McNeese may not have the same resources or brand recognition as LSU, Wade has proven that he can attract solid recruits to a mid-major program. He has brought in a combination of high school recruits and transfer portal players to help build a competitive roster.

Wade’s success in recruiting at McNeese is a testament to his skill as a recruiter. He has shown that he can identify talent and bring players into the program who fit his system. For example, Wade was able to secure commitments from a number of impactful transfers, players who had played at higher-profile schools and were looking for a fresh start. These players have immediately contributed to the team, bringing valuable experience and leadership to the squad.

Moreover, Wade has done a tremendous job of developing the players already on the roster. McNeese’s players are showing signs of improvement, particularly in areas like defense and basketball IQ. Wade’s emphasis on fundamentals, coupled with his offensive and defensive schemes, has helped McNeese become a more disciplined team that can compete with the top programs in the Southland Conference.

The Team’s Success on the Court

McNeese’s improvement under Wade has been reflected in the team’s performance on the court. While the program has not yet reached the elite level of the SEC, the strides that McNeese has made under Wade are impressive. In his second season, the team has already made a significant jump in the Southland Conference standings, becoming a more competitive force.

The Gators have played well in crucial games, showing resilience in tight matchups and executing Wade’s system effectively. Wade’s high-energy style of play, focused on getting up and down the floor quickly, has made McNeese a difficult team to contend with, and they’ve posted several notable wins. These victories have earned McNeese respect in the conference and beyond.

One of the key components of Wade’s strategy at McNeese has been defensive intensity. LSU’s defense under Wade was known for being aggressive, and he has brought that same mentality to McNeese. The team’s defensive schemes are predicated on constant pressure, forcing turnovers, and getting out on fast breaks. The improvement in this area has been one of the biggest factors in McNeese’s resurgence.

Building a Culture at McNeese

One of the biggest challenges Wade faced after taking over at McNeese was building a winning culture. At a school like McNeese, where basketball has historically been overshadowed by other programs, it can be difficult to establish a culture of success. But Wade has already made significant strides in that area, instilling a work ethic and mentality that is built on hard work, accountability, and discipline.

He has implemented rigorous practices and high expectations for his players, creating a team-first atmosphere that prioritizes effort and preparation. Wade has also emphasized the importance of resilience and mental toughness, traits that have helped McNeese become a more competitive and cohesive team.

The Road Ahead: McNeese’s Future Under Will Wade

The future of McNeese basketball looks promising under Will Wade. Though the program is still in the early stages of its rebuild, there are many reasons to believe that the program will continue to improve under Wade’s leadership. If Wade can continue to recruit well, develop his players, and maintain the high standards he has set for the program, McNeese could become a regular contender in the Southland Conference.

Wade’s ability to rebuild a program at a smaller school is also a testament to his resilience as a coach. Despite the controversies that surrounded his exit from LSU, Wade has proven that he still has the skills and leadership abilities to succeed at the next level. If he continues on his current trajectory, it wouldn’t be surprising to see McNeese State return to the NCAA Tournament under his guidance.

For Wade personally, his success at McNeese is a chance to rebuild his reputation and prove that he can succeed in any environment. He will undoubtedly have his eyes set on returning to a power-conference job in the future, but for now, he is focused on continuing the progress he has made at McNeese and ensuring that the program continues to ascend.

 Redemption and New Beginnings

Will Wade’s journey from LSU to McNeese State has been a story of redemption and new beginnings. After a controversial exit from a high-profile program, Wade has found a new home at McNeese and is once again proving that he is a capable and successful coach. His ability to turn around a program at McNeese, attract talent, and develop players is a testament to his skill and determination.

As McNeese continues to improve and develop under Wade’s leadership, the future of the program looks bright. Whether or not Wade will eventually return to a power-conference job remains to be seen, but for now, his work at McNeese is a reminder that resilience,