LSU's Will Wade Dodges NC State Questions at Intro Press Conference

New Tigers coach tries to shift focus away from his previous job amid ongoing NCAA investigation.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 12:00am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented, multi-angled view of a basketball game, with sharp planes of navy, green, and orange hues conceptually representing the complex issues surrounding Will Wade's coaching career.The ongoing NCAA investigation into Will Wade's past actions casts a shadow over his new role leading the LSU basketball program.Today in Raleigh

In his introductory press conference as the new head basketball coach at LSU, Will Wade and the university administration made efforts to avoid discussing Wade's previous role at NC State, where he was embroiled in an ongoing NCAA investigation. However, Wade was eventually pressed on the matter and had to address the lingering questions surrounding his departure from the Wolfpack program.

Why it matters

Wade's hiring at LSU comes with significant baggage from his time at NC State, where he was implicated in an NCAA corruption scandal. The university and Wade himself were keen to shift the focus away from that controversy, but the lingering questions proved difficult to completely sidestep during the press conference.

The details

During the press conference, Wade and LSU officials repeatedly attempted to steer the conversation away from his previous job, focusing instead on his vision for the Tigers program. However, reporters eventually pressed Wade on the NC State situation, leading him to acknowledge the ongoing NCAA investigation and his role in it, though he maintained his innocence.

  • Will Wade was hired as the new head basketball coach at LSU on March 30, 2026.
  • Wade's introductory press conference took place on March 31, 2026 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The players

Will Wade

The new head basketball coach at Louisiana State University (LSU), who previously held the same position at North Carolina State University (NC State).

Louisiana State University (LSU)

The public research university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where Will Wade was introduced as the new head basketball coach.

North Carolina State University (NC State)

The public research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, where Will Wade previously served as the head basketball coach and was embroiled in an ongoing NCAA investigation.

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What they’re saying

“We must move forward and focus on the bright future ahead for LSU basketball.”

— Will Wade, Head Basketball Coach, LSU

“The university is confident in Coach Wade's ability to lead our program to success, despite the lingering questions from his past.”

— LSU Administration

What’s next

The NCAA investigation into Will Wade's actions at NC State is ongoing, and the outcome could have significant implications for his future at LSU.

The takeaway

Will Wade's hiring at LSU comes with significant baggage from his previous tenure at NC State, where he was implicated in an NCAA corruption scandal. While the university and Wade himself tried to shift the focus away from that controversy, the lingering questions proved difficult to completely avoid during his introductory press conference.