Will Wade a confirmed ‘name to watch’ as NC State starts search to replace Keatts

With Kevin Keatts out at NC State, a national coaching search has begun and right out of the gate we have a name to watch.

One name that is expected to be in the mix for the NC State opening is McNeese State’s Will Wade, source told @TheFieldOf68.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 9, 2025

Sure Goodman is reporting this, but this wasn’t rocket science.

Wade has had 2 unbelievable seasons at McNeese State after having success at both LSU and VCU. He was accused of NCAA violations during his time at LSU (which led to his firing), but in the world of NIL, it’s likely NC State isn’t going to be concerend about that.

Prior to the hiring of Kevin Keatts, Wade was the top pick of some of the administration according to a source at the time. He was coming off two great seasons at VCU and we’re told he was actually about to receive an in-person offer from Debbie Yow. However prior to making the trip the competition for Keatts was heating up and there were rumors that Wade was going to hold out for the Clemson job (which was rumored to be opening). Wade was a student manager at Clemson prior to his coaching days.

There was a chance that State made the trip to Virginia to offer Wade, he rebuffed and Keatts was picked up by someone else leaving State with nobody. There was also some in the administration was really wanted Keatts, so we’re told at that time they brought in Kevin, Debbie really was impressed with him and the rest is history.

Wade is known as a basketball mind. He’s a great x’s and o’s coach and has a knack for getting his guys to play hard. In 3 of his 5 seasons with LSU he was top 3 in the SEC. In his two seasons with VCU he finished 2nd and 1st.

Now after coming back from the NCAA allegations, he’s dominated at McNeese State with 47 wins over the past 2 season and likely back to back NCAA Tournament appearances. In fact, Wade has finished Top-3 in his conference in 9 of the 11 seasons he’s been a head coach.

But can NC State afford him?

Here is Goodman again on that…

The key for being able to land someone like Will Wade is that NC State will need to step up its funding/resources to be able to compete financially with the Duke’s and North Carolina’s.

I’m told that Kevin Keatts had in the $2 million range this past season – which obviously…

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 9, 2025

It’s likely there will be a lot of names popping up soon, but it’s almost certain Will Wade will be one of them.