Will Wade has never been one to hold back when it comes to his confidence in his coaching abilities. Now, after leading McNeese State to an improbable run to the NCAA
Tournament’s Round of 32, Wade is bringing his bold personality and winning mentality to NC State. In his opening press conference on Tuesday, Wade wasted no time in setting high expectations for the Wolfpack.
“This is not going to be a rebuild. Next year, we’re going to be in the top half of the ACC. We’re going to be in the NCAA Tournament,” Wade said. “We’re going to win.” Wade emphasized that success starts with fully utilizing available resources and building a strong presence in the ACC. “We have to maximize what we have.
I want Lenovo Center packed for the home opener. I want the nation to know the Pack is back. We’re going to be a force. We’re going to talk like a top team. We’re going to act like a top team. We’re going to win like a top team.
We’re going to build a consistent winner.” The former LSU head coach also addressed the impact of NIL opportunities and how he intends to make NC State competitive on the national stage.
“There’s no doubt that we’re going to be able to compete nationally in NIL,” Wade said. “You don’t have to have the best house in the neighborhood. You have to have a manicured lawn. … We’re going to be competitive nationally with our NIL package and our revenue sharing.
When you have the most, sometimes you buy lemons. We’re going to efficiently use the resources we have.” Wade, who has built a reputation as a skilled recruiter and program builder, believes his coaching style has evolved significantly since his first head coaching job at Chattanooga over a decade ago.
“I’m not the coach I was when I was 30 years old taking over at Chattanooga,” Wade said. “NC State’s getting the best version of Will Wade.”
Wade began his head coaching career at Chattanooga in 2013 before moving to VCU, where he led the Rams to two NCAA Tournament appearances in as many seasons. He then took over at LSU in 2017, guiding the Tigers to an SEC regular-season title and a Sweet 16 appearance in his second season.
After a brief hiatus following his firing from LSU, Wade returned to coaching at McNeese in 2023. His tenure began with NCAA-imposed penalties, including a 10-game suspension. Despite the setback, he quickly turned the Cowboys into winners, leading them to 58 victories in two seasons.
Now, Wade is ready for his next challenge at NC State, and if his words are any indication, he expects the Wolfpack to be a force in the ACC sooner rather than later.
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