The buzz at the BTR Jet Center in Baton Rouge was just the beginning of the excitement surrounding Will Wade's return to LSU basketball. Set to be officially introduced at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Monday, Wade's comeback is a major move for a program eager to regain its former glory.
Wade, who previously coached at North Carolina State, is stepping back into the spotlight with a hefty seven-year, $30 million contract. His task? To revitalize a team that has faced challenges since his departure in 2022 due to NCAA violations.
The immediate focus for Wade is assembling a top-notch coaching staff. This could mean reuniting with familiar faces from NC State or blending new talent with existing LSU staff.
Notably, during his time at NC State, Wade brought along several key figures from McNeese State, where he coached from 2023 to 2025. Among them were Brandon Chambers and Vernon Hamilton, both of whom have deep ties to Wade's coaching journey.
At NC State, four support staff members also made the move from McNeese, including Nick Flory, Steven Soltysiak, Joseph Anderson, and Brady Jones. Meanwhile, Tasmin Mitchell, a former Tigers player and current assistant coach, remains a key figure at LSU, having been with the program since Wade's first tenure.
Wade's next big challenge is the upcoming transfer portal window on April 7. Decisions on player retention and recruitment will be crucial, and Wade may even look to bring some of his NC State players to LSU.
LSU is ready to invest significantly in its basketball program, with reports indicating a player payroll budget of $12 to $15 million through revenue-sharing and NIL deals. Wade is optimistic about the potential, stating, “LSU represents something bigger - it’s about competing at the highest level in the best conference in the country, in front of one of the most passionate fan bases in college basketball.”
With Wade's history of leading teams to the NCAA Tournament, including his previous stints at LSU, NC State, and McNeese, there's hope that the Tigers can turn things around in the Southeastern Conference. This season, LSU finished at the bottom of the SEC with a 15-17 record.
Changes are already underway, with three LSU players entering the transfer portal. Junior point guard Dedan Thomas was the first, followed by redshirt junior forward Jalen Reed and freshman guard Ron Zipper. Reed, despite battling injuries, is reportedly considering a return.
Recruitment dynamics might also shift, as signees under former coach Matt McMahon have the option to reopen their recruitment due to the coaching change.
For Wade, the path to reloading LSU's roster is still unfolding, but his track record suggests he’s more than capable of building a competitive team in the NIL era. The Tigers and their fans are eager to see how this new chapter will unfold.