• Loading stock data...
Monday, October 6, 2025

Will Wade Taking NC State Job After Unusual Honesty About Talks

Six years after getting caught on tape making a “strong-ass offer” to pay a player’s handler, Wade was unusually honest about a new offer.

Will Wade
Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Six years after getting caught on tape making a “strong-ass offer” to pay a player’s handler, McNeese State coach Will Wade was unusually honest about a potential new offer.

Meeting with the media ahead of 12th-seeded McNeese’s first-round NCAA tournament game against Clemson—Wade’s alma mater—he acknowledged he’s met with North Carolina State about their coaching vacancy. 

Hours after the blunt admission, Wade agreed to take the Wolfpack job, ESPN reported.

We addressed it head-on,” Wade said. “I talked to them Saturday about it. Here’s what it is, here is where we are. It was just me and our players and we all talked about it. I’m aware of what I have got going on. They’re aware of what we’ve got going on. You just hit it head-on. We’re all on the same page with everything.”

NC State had fired Kevin Keatts less than a year after he led the team to a shocking Final Four run in 2024.

The legalization of players being paid for their NIL (name, image, and likeness) in 2021 combined with the introduction of the transfer portal in 2018 has driven several coaching legends to their retirement; among others, Jim Boeheim, Tony Bennett, and Jim Larrañaga blasted the state of the game on their way out the door. But coaches can leave whenever they want, and Wade is aware of the hypocrisy.

I told our coaching staff last year I don’t want to hear any complaining about calling kids in the portal while we’re in the NCAA Tournament,” Wade said. “Half the coaching staffs in the country—those assistants are trying to get other jobs, too. If they’re trying to get other jobs, why can’t the kids?”

Coaches almost never publicly acknowledge interest in another job, both out of respect for their current employer and for fear of fan blowback, among other factors. But nobody ever expected Wade to stay at McNeese State long-term when the Cowboys hired him in 2023. 

Wade, now 42, led the Cowboys in the tournament for the second straight season and has repaired his image after being fired by LSU in 2022. At just 34, he was hired to coach LSU, where he led the Tigers to three NCAA tournaments in five years and the 2019 Sweet 16. Wade was suspended at LSU after he recorded on an FBI wiretap saying he made a “strong-ass offer” to the handler of Javonte Smart, a recruit who eventually signed with the Tigers. At the time, paying players was against NCAA rules; it no longer is in the NIL era.

McNeese State plays Clemson on Thursday in Providence. Tip-off is slated for 3:15 p.m. Eastern. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 4, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes and Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders hug following a game at Amon G. Carter Stadium.

More Health Problems for Deion Sanders As Colorado Slides

Sanders indicated his blood clots have returned.
Scott Foster

NBA Refs Testing Earpieces in Preseason Games

The technology won’t be used in the regular season yet.
Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) passes the ball during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl.

The Improbability of UCLA’s Incredible Upset Win Against Penn State

Before UCLA beat Penn State, donors were deeply unhappy.
Napheesa Collier

WNBA Tensions Heat Up With Canceled Collier–Engelbert Meeting

The commissioner denied Collier’s version of events at a press conference Friday.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin reacts during the fourth quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Beaver Stadium.

Penn State Has a $50 Million James Franklin Problem

Franklin’s team lost to unranked UCLA on Saturday despite being heavy favorites.
Cody Campbell
October 4, 2025

Fox, ABC Reject Ad Accusing Power Conference Commissioners of Greed

Cody Campbell said the ads were pulled after he paid for them.
October 5, 2025

CFB’s New Parity Era: Penn State, Texas Top-25 Exits Signal Shift

Penn State and Texas fall entirely out of the top-25 rankings.
Sponsored

How Soccer Star Jozy Altidore Became a Buffalo Bills Owner

Jozy Altidore discusses building a business legacy off the field.
Florida State defensive back Renardo Green (8) tackles Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (22) during a college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.
October 2, 2025

Miami–Florida State Rivalry Heats Up With Priciest Ticket in CFB

The get-in price for Saturday’s matchup in Tallahassee is more than $300.
exclusive
October 2, 2025

Opendorse Is Taking Over Parts of Failed NIL Collective Operator SANIL

SANIL abruptly shut down its operations this week.
October 2, 2025

Big Ten’s $2B Private-Equity Deal Talks Face Michigan Resistance 

The conference is in discussions for a private-capital deal of around $2 billion.
Sep 27, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; A detail view of the SEC logo on a chain marker during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Auburn Tigers at Kyle Field.
exclusive
October 1, 2025

Fed-Up NIL Collectives Are Bypassing NIL Deal Approval Process

“I have deep concerns as to the longevity of this system.”