LSU Faces $15.3 Million Buyout to Bring Back Former Coach Will Wade

The Tigers would need to pay a hefty price to rehire the ex-LSU coach, who is currently at NC State.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 11:04pm

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LSU would need to pay a $15.3 million total buyout to bring back former head coach Will Wade, including $10.3 million to current LSU coach Matt McMahon and $5 million to NC State, where Wade is currently the head coach. This high price tag makes it unlikely that LSU will pursue Wade, especially given the school's recent major financial commitments to the football program.

Why it matters

Wade's potential return to LSU has been a topic of speculation, but the substantial buyout required makes it a risky financial move for the university, which has already invested heavily in its football program under new head coach Lane Kiffin. LSU must weigh the potential upside of bringing back Wade against the significant upfront costs.

The details

LSU would need to pay a $10.3 million buyout to current head coach Matt McMahon, who is likely to be let go, as well as a $5 million buyout to NC State to acquire Wade. This $15.3 million total price tag would have to be paid before any new contract negotiations with Wade could even begin.

  • LSU fired Matt McMahon as head coach in March 2026.
  • Will Wade is currently the head coach at NC State.

The players

Will Wade

The former LSU head coach who is currently the head coach at NC State.

Matt McMahon

The current LSU head coach who would need to be bought out for $10.3 million.

Lane Kiffin

The new head football coach at LSU who has received a monster contract from the university.

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What they’re saying

“As the rumors of a Will Wade return to LSU ramp up, good info from Cory here ⬇️⬇️”

— Aaron Torres (Twitter)

What’s next

LSU will need to decide if the substantial buyout cost to bring back Will Wade is worth the potential upside, especially given their recent major financial commitments to the football program.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the high costs associated with coaching changes in college sports, as LSU would need to pay over $15 million just to bring back their former coach Will Wade. The university must carefully weigh the potential benefits against the significant financial risk before deciding whether to pursue Wade.