Will Wade Admission Could Create Awkward Dynamic At New School

McNeese basketball coach Will Wade speaks at the NCAA Tournament.

Head coach Will Wade has the McNeese basketball program poised to make some noise in the NCAA Tournament. The 12th-seeded Cowboys are set to face Clemson in the opening round.

That matchup is interesting on a number of levels. Not only will it provide McNeese an upset opportunity, but it does so against their coach’s alma mater.

Will Wade attended Clemson in the early 2000s. He was a grad assistant for the Tigers from 2005-07. He’ll be coaching against his old school this March.

He spoke on that coincidence ahead of the opening tip. He says his Clemson ties still play a role in the way he coaches his current team.

Clemson grad Will Wade, the coach at McNeese, on playing his alma mater: “Our players know, they don’t practice when Clemson plays football.” pic.twitter.com/pTgYaGF52e

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) March 19, 2025

The Cowboys don’t practice when the Tigers football team is playing. Wade takes the day to watch his alma mater on the gridiron. That would NOT fly at the school currently looking to poach him from Louisiana.

Will Wade has spoken to NC State.

The Wolfpack moved on from Kevin Keatts after the 2024-25 season. That decision came despite his Final Four run last March.

Keatts was on the hot seat prior to that improbable postseason performance. A 12-19 campaign this year was enough to do him in.

With Keatts out, the search for his replacement has started. Will Wade appears to be at the top of the list. What he’s been able to do in two seasons with McNeese is nothing short of incredible.

The Cowboys are 57-10 under Wade’s leadership. They’ve won back-to-back league titles. This will be the program’s second straight NCAA Tournament appearance. When this current run ends, Wade’s time on the sidelines might be through.

“Last year, look, I’m as honest as they come. When I signed my contract, I committed to [athletic director] Heath Schroyer I was going to be here two years. I didn’t talk to one school last year… This is two years, and we’ll see what happens in the offseason.”

-Will Wade

Wade made it clear that he’d be listening to outside offers this offseason. It seems the negotiations have already begun while the Cowboys are still playing.

The head coach admitted to speaking with NC State about their opening. He’s been transparent with both his team and the media.

Will Wade on rumors of other schools contacting him: “I lay it all out there to my players, and my players have laid it all out there to me. We are transparent. We’ve shared it all with each other.”

On if he’s talked with NC State about their head coaching vacancy: “Yes.” pic.twitter.com/Ac9w53zaf7

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) March 19, 2025

Should he ultimately be hired by the Wolfpack, his Clemson football tradition might have to come to an end. As ACC rivals, there’s not much love lost in the Textile Bowl.

Actively cheering for the Tigers while coaching in Raleigh could present an awkward dynamic. Administration might not be happy about his open celebration of a hated foe, especially given the schools face off annually.

With that being said, the hiring process seems far from over. NC State likely wouldn’t get a signature until after McNeese has been eliminated from the NCAA Tournament. And even then, it doesn’t appear set in stone that Will Wade will accept.