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McNeese State experienced an instant turnaround in Year 1 of the Will Wade era, going 30-4 with an NCAA Tournament appearance after 11 straight losing seasons. The Cowboys are confident it won’t be the extent of his MSU resume.
Wade’s bunch was one of the most dominant in college basketball last year, ranking sixth the NCAA in defense while boasting a Top 40 mark in points scored.
The head coach arrived in Lake Charles, LA after coaching at nearby LSU. With the Tigers, Wade saw major success, leading his squads to three Big Dances across five seasons. That included a Sweet 16 run as well as an SEC title.
Unfortunately, things came crashing down shortly thereafter.
Recruiting violations became his downfall and he was fired amid a federal corruption investigation in 2022. For that reason, he received a show cause and a subsequent five-game suspension upon being hired by the Cowboys, serving that punishment before even coaching his first game.
Despite that atypical start, McNeese State thrived under Will Wade’s leadership, making its first March Madness appearance in two decades.
That turnaround, combined with past success in the SEC, has the head coach atop a number of hot boards this offseason.
One program of interest is Wade’s former rival, Arkansas, who saw Eric Musselman bolt for USC on Thursday. Could he be in line for an interview and potential move back to the major level?
McNeese isn’t worried!
Shortly after that Musselman news broke, the Cowboys‘ social media team posted a GIF on their X timeline as they laughed off the speculation.
— McNeese Men’s Basketball (@McNeeseMBB) April 4, 2024
It’s a move that could come back to bite should Wade ultimately decide to leave, though the school is doing all it can to keep him put. That includes a recent contract extension and salary bump, which also came equipped with a hefty buyout.
We’ll see if it’s enough to deter the competition.