Will Wade, former LSU basketball coach, linked to D1 head coaching vacancy

Will Wade is a candidate for the McNeese State head coaching vacancy, according to a report.

That’s per Stadium’s Jeff Goodman, who also broke the news that McNeese State parted ways with former coach John Aiken on Wednesday morning.

Wade is “in the mix” to be the next head coach, per Goodman.

McNeese State has parted ways with coach John Aiken, sources told @stadium.

Aiken was 22-45 in two seasons as the head coach.

Sources told @Stadium that former LSU coach Will Wade is in the mix as next McNeese head coach.

McNeese AD is former college coach Heath Schroyer.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 8, 2023

Wade was LSU’s head coach from 2017-22. His tenure with the Tigers was mired in controversy and a lengthy NCAA investigation. He was fired by LSU for cause before the end of the 2021-22 season.

Off-the-court matters aside, Wade put together competitive teams at LSU. The Tigers made the NCAA Tournament in 3 of his 5 seasons. They were also on track to make the Tournament in 2020 before it was canceled due to COVID-19.

Prior to joining LSU, Wade was the coach at VCU and Chattanooga. If he does take the McNeese State job, it would be an uphill battle. McNeese State is ranked No. 334 nationally (out of 363 teams) this season, per KenPom.

McNeese State has not been to the NCAA Tournament since 2002.