North Carolina State coach Will Wade reportedly met with the school’s officials on Wednesday to discuss a potential return to coach the LSU Tigers. This comes amid speculations about the coach’s future, with the Tigers trying to hire him while the Wolfpack tries to keep him.

LSU insider Matt Moscona reports on Wednesday that a “competitive offer” by NC State to keep Wade is set to arrive within 24 hours. Meanwhile, the coach’s buyout on his current deal with the program is set at $5 million, although it drops to $3 million after Apr. 1.

According to Moscona, the Tigers are prepared to wait until then to approach Wade. Note that Matt McMahon remains LSU’s coach, and his future at the program reportedly depends on the school’s success or otherwise to hire Will Wade.

McMahon has served as the Tigers basketball coach since 2022, compiling a 60-70 overall record, including 17-55 in the SEC. An NCAA Tournament appearance has eluded the Tigers since the coach’s arrival. This has left fans continuously frustrated with him and his job perpetually at risk of getting terminated.

Will Wade had a successful stint at LSU before his controversial termination in Mar. 2022. He led the Tigers for five seasons from 2017 to 2022, going 105-15 and securing three NCAA Tournament berths.

He was implicated in an FBI investigation into college football, which leveled allegations of recruiting violations against him.

Will Wade’s coaching career after leaving LSU

Wade was hired by the McNeese Cowboys a season after his infamous exit from LSU. He led the program to two straight conference titles and NCAA Tournament appearances before NC State hired him ahead of this season.

He led the Wolfpack to a 20-14 finish and an NCAA Tournament appearance this season, narrowly losing to Texas in the first round. If he returns to LSU, Will Wade will be working with familiar faces he’s met on his sojourn since he left in 2022.

The new LSU president, Wade Rousse, was president at McNeese State during Wade’s stint at the school. Similarly, the Tigers are looking to hire the Cowboys’ athletic director, Heath Schroyer, to fill an administrative role in LSU’s athletic department.

Schroyer’s hire is being seen as a precursor to Wade’s arrival at Baton Rouge, given their relationship from the latter’s stint at McNeese State.