Lane Kiffin Backs LSU's Rehiring of Controversial Coach Will Wade

The Ole Miss football coach sees parallels between his own move and Wade's return to Baton Rouge.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:19pm

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In a press conference, Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin expressed support for LSU's decision to rehire men's basketball coach Will Wade, who was previously fired amid an NCAA investigation. Kiffin drew parallels between Wade's return to LSU and his own controversial move from Ole Miss to LSU, saying that passionate coaches should be able to choose their own paths.

Why it matters

The hirings of both Kiffin and Wade have been met with controversy, as both coaches left their previous schools under clouds of NCAA investigations. However, Kiffin's comments suggest that LSU's ability to lure back high-profile coaches like Wade demonstrates the school's power and influence in college athletics.

The details

Wade was fired from LSU in 2019 after the school received a notice of allegations from the NCAA regarding recruiting violations. He then spent two seasons at McNeese State before being hired by NC State in 2025. But after just one year with the Wolfpack, Wade has now returned to LSU, where he is being welcomed back enthusiastically. Kiffin, who left Ole Miss for LSU last December, said he spoke with Wade and that the coach is 'extremely excited' about his return to Baton Rouge.

  • Wade was fired from LSU in 2019.
  • Wade spent the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons as the head coach at McNeese State.
  • Wade was hired by NC State in March 2025, signing a six-year contract.
  • Wade left NC State after just one season to return to LSU in April 2026.

The players

Lane Kiffin

The head football coach at Ole Miss, who previously left that job to take the head coaching position at LSU in December 2025.

Will Wade

The head men's basketball coach at LSU, who was previously fired from the same position in 2019 amid an NCAA investigation, before being rehired by the school in April 2026.

NC State

The university that hired Will Wade as its head men's basketball coach in March 2025, only to lose him to LSU after one season.

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What they’re saying

“I talked to [Wade] the other day, obviously, he's extremely excited about it. From what I know, which I don't know a lot about basketball, you know, he's been very successful everywhere he's been. And I think too, if you're passionate about a place, and you're a really good coach, that's a really good combination.”

— Lane Kiffin, Head Football Coach, Ole Miss

“I know there's been a lot of judgment about whether he should go, and he just got there, and all of those things, I probably have a unique view of that. But I just think everything is everybody's story, they've got one life to live, and what they choose to do, and what they believe their story is after they get the best information that they can from the people that are closest to them, then they make their decisions. Then, in my opinion, it's that person's job to prove that decision right.”

— Lane Kiffin, Head Football Coach, Ole Miss

“It speaks volumes about LSU. There's somebody that understands everything about LSU, understands the power of LSU, went through a very unique situation, kind of had a breakup, and then makes the decision to come back. To me, that says a lot about LSU.”

— Lane Kiffin, Head Football Coach, Ole Miss

What’s next

LSU and Wade will look to move past the NCAA investigation that led to his previous firing, as the coach aims to rebuild the men's basketball program and lead the Tigers to success on the court.

The takeaway

The hirings of both Lane Kiffin and Will Wade demonstrate LSU's ability to attract top coaching talent, even in the face of controversy and NCAA scrutiny. Kiffin's support for Wade's return suggests the school's power and influence in college athletics.