Sports

Will Wade Couldn’t Leave Raleigh Fast Enough As NC State Fans Crashed Airport To Heckle

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iStockphoto / © Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images / © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images


Will Wade is leaving the North Carolina State basketball program for LSU. He boarded a plane for Baton Rouge on Thursday.

Wolfpack fans showed up in full force to boo and heckle as he made his way to the runway. The head coach could not wait to get out of Raleigh.

News of his hiring at LSU broke earlier the same day. About six hours later, he landed in Louisiana.

Will Wade is the basketball coach at LSU.

He spent just one season at NC State following two years at McNeese. Now, he returns to his old stomping grounds.

Wade coached the Tigers from 2017-2022. He was fired over recruiting violations linked to an FBI wiretap investigation.

While his exit was controversial, his success was well documented. Wade led LSU to three NCAA Tournaments and an SEC title across five seasons.

The program took a hit when he left.

The Tigers are just 60-70 since his departure. His replacement, Matt McMahon, could not replicate the results. As a result, he was fired this week. It opened the door for Wade’s return.

For LSU, that’s good news. For the NC State, it means a reset for the second time in as many years.

The Wolfpack has to find another coach.

Kevin Keatts was fired in 2025. He was replaced by Wade, who then bailed after one season. Now, the program must find its third coach in a very short span.

NC State went 12-19 in Keatts’ final year but made the NCAA Tournament in Wade’s lone campaign. It did not anticipate a coaching search just a few short days ago.

Wade assured administration he intended to return. While he might not have lied, the optics of his exit to Baton Rouge were poor.

Whispers of the move surfaced about 48 hours before Will Wade’s announcement. It moved quickly. LSU ponied up to land its guy. NC State couldn’t match.

In the end, Wade chased the money. He’ll have more support with the Tigers. In doing so, he’s spurned his former fanbase. They made sure to voice their displeasure before he left town.

NC State fans heckled Will Wade at the airport.

Members of the fanbase waited for his arrival at the airport in Raleigh. Wade heard their disgust. He couldn’t get to Baton Rouge quick enough.

His welcome to Louisiana was much different.

It was all hugs and smiles. The Tigers are glad to have him back.

NC State would be celebrating, too, if it was able to retain the head coach. It didn’t work out.

LSU’s money spoke. Wade’s time with the Wolfpack is done. The school will now get to the process of identifying his replacement. Fans needed to get one final word in before moving on.