Sources: LSU pursued Wade’s return before McMahon firing.

LSU is nearing an agreement to rehire Will Wade as head coach, according to ESPN sources Thursday.

The institution is on the verge of confirming the reappointment of Wade, presently coaching at NC State. He was previously suspended during his tenure at LSU for the 2019 NCAA tournament and subsequently terminated following an NCAA investigation that imposed substantial penalties on the team.

LSU’s overtures to Wade, extensively covered recently, unfolded prior to the university’s dismissal of coach Matt McMahon. This termination was confirmed by ESPN sources on Thursday. For several months, rumors had circulated, even as Wade publicly reiterated his commitment to NC State during the ACC tournament when questioned about LSU.

The chain of events paving the way for Wade’s reappointment originated in the state governor’s administration. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, known for his vocal stance during the recent dismissal of football coach Brian Kelly, holds a close association with Wade.

The initial key development enabling Wade’s comeback was LSU’s removal of former athletic director Scott Woodward last autumn, a consequence of Woodward’s strained relationship with Landry, partly due to his failure to dismiss McMahon and reinstate Wade the previous year.

A subsequent crucial step was the appointment of LSU president Wade Rousse. Rousse had previously employed Wade at McNeese after Wade’s NCAA problems. Rousse joined LSU in November and this week brought in McNeese Athletic Director Heath Schroyer, who shares a close bond with Wade.

Within the basketball community, speculation had persisted for months regarding a potential reunion involving Rousse, Schroyer, and Wade, given their collective ties to Governor Landry.

This entire situation has unfolded publicly, creating one of the more uncomfortable recent spectacles in collegiate sports, all while McMahon was still employed.

Furthermore, this situation places NC State’s leadership in a precarious position, open to criticism, since their decision to bring in Wade carried the inherent possibility of his eventual departure for LSU. NC State athletic director Boo Corrigan has been instrumental in rehabilitating Wade’s image, only for him to depart after a season of moderate achievement, concluding with a defeat in the First Four round.

McMahon’s tenure saw a 60-70 overall record over four years, with a 17-55 performance in SEC games. Following a season plagued by injuries, a substantial severance package complicated any decision LSU made regarding McMahon. LSU will also be liable for a considerable payment to NC State, as Wade’s exit clause before April 1 exceeds $5 million, decreasing to $3 million thereafter.

LSU is projected to owe McMahon over $8 million, partly attributable to the programmatic instability inherited from Wade. McMahon signed a seven-year contract upon his 2022 hiring, an agreement of unusual length, partly due to the scholarship and recruitment limitations resulting from Wade’s previous departure.

With three years left on his seven-year agreement, McMahon’s departure will obligate LSU to pay another exceptionally large severance this year. The university already owes Kelly $54 million following his termination this autumn, representing one of the largest coaching buyouts ever in college football.

LSU made an awkward attempt to challenge the severance payment following critical public statements from Landry. After approximately a month of legal exchanges, LSU dispatched a formal termination letter to Kelly, citing no specific cause.

This decision by LSU, anticipating Wade’s annual salary to commence slightly under $5 million, contributes to one of the most significant recent financial outlays by a university.

Over the last four months, LSU has recorded over $60 million in unrecovered expenditures. (McMahon’s coaching team is also projected to be owed an additional $1 million, and LSU expended $3 million to secure football coach Lane Kiffin from Ole Miss.)

Kiffin’s appointment has initiated extensive roster investments, potentially costing LSU over $40 million. Wade’s anticipated return is expected to elevate LSU’s basketball program into the upper tier of SEC institutions, a significant shift from its consistent lower-tier status during McMahon’s coaching period.

Wade’s imminent return to Baton Rouge occurs slightly more than four years following his termination by LSU just prior to the NCAA tournament.

The university was issued an NCAA notice of allegations outlining five Level I infractions and one Level II infraction pertaining to Wade. This ultimately resulted in a two-year show-cause penalty and a 10-game suspension in June 2023 for three of the Level I violations.

It was determined that Wade had provided unauthorized payments to a player’s former fiancée, simultaneously failing to collaborate with an investigation and neglecting to foster an environment of regulatory adherence.

Additionally, Wade faced suspension just prior to the 2019 NCAA tournament following disclosures that a federal wiretap had recorded his conversation about a “substantial offer” for a prospective player.

Wade served as LSU’s head coach for five seasons, from 2018 to 2022, guiding the Tigers to three NCAA tournament appearances out of four, and securing the program’s initial SEC regular-season championship in ten years during 2019. His overall record at LSU was 105-51.

McNeese recruited Wade in 2023, and he promptly led the Cowboys to their inaugural NCAA tournament berth since 2002. Bolstered by significant NIL resources and an influx of transfer talent, Wade achieved 58 victories in two seasons at McNeese, compiling a 36-2 conference record and making two NCAA tournament appearances. The Cowboys famously defeated 5-seed Clemson in the opening round last year before their elimination by Purdue.

Just preceding McNeese’s NCAA tournament match against Clemson last year, Wade finalized a deal to assume coaching duties at NC State.

Wade’s appointment generated considerable pre-season interest in Raleigh, even sparking the “red reckoning” phrase, alluding to the Wolfpack’s potential to upset the established hierarchy of the ACC.

The current season began promisingly, as NC State achieved a six-game winning streak midway through conference play, boosting their overall record to 18-6 and 9-2 in the ACC. Nevertheless, the Wolfpack subsequently dropped six of their last seven regular-season contests, ultimately securing a spot in the First Four on Selection Sunday.

Their competitive season concluded last Tuesday with a narrow 68-66 defeat against Texas.