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Will Wade Returns as LSU Basketball Coach
Former coach vows to 'follow more rules this time' after previous departure amid NCAA allegations
Mar. 27, 2026 at 1:39am
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Will Wade has been named the new head coach of the LSU men's basketball team, returning to Baton Rouge after a previous stint that ended in 2022 when the program received notice of potential NCAA violations. As Wade was being driven away after his introductory press conference, he joked, "I'm trying to follow more rules this time."
Why it matters
Wade's return to LSU is notable given his previous abrupt departure from the program amid NCAA allegations. His hiring signals the university's willingness to bring back a coach with a checkered past, raising questions about the program's commitment to compliance and ethical conduct.
The details
Wade was previously the head coach of the LSU men's basketball team from 2017 to 2022. In 2022, he departed the program after the university received notice of potential NCAA violations related to the basketball program. Now, Wade is returning to Baton Rouge as the new head coach, vowing to 'follow more rules this time' in a joking reference to his previous exit.
- Will Wade was named the new LSU basketball coach on March 27, 2026.
- Wade previously served as LSU's head coach from 2017 to 2022.
The players
Will Wade
The new head coach of the LSU men's basketball team, returning to the program after previously serving as head coach from 2017 to 2022 before departing amid NCAA allegations.
LSU Tigers
The men's basketball team of Louisiana State University, located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
What they’re saying
“I'm trying to follow more rules this time”
— Will Wade, Head Coach, LSU Basketball
What’s next
The university and NCAA will likely closely monitor Wade's conduct and the program's compliance with NCAA rules during his second tenure as LSU's head basketball coach.
The takeaway
Wade's return to LSU, despite his previous issues with the NCAA, underscores the university's willingness to prioritize winning over strict adherence to rules and ethics. This decision raises concerns about the program's commitment to integrity and the message it sends to student-athletes and the broader college basketball community.
