NC State Head Coaching Search: An Update on the College Basketball Head Coaching Carousel

The college basketball head coaching carousel continues to spin, and with each rotation, things become a little clearer.

NC State’s top candidate to replace Kevin Keatts as head coach of the Wolfpack is McNeese State’s Will Wade. This much is clear.

As far as we know, NC State is the only school to have met with Wade directly at this point. Obviously, the Wolfpack are in a unique position to do so, with their basketball season already complete. Undoubtedly, other schools have likely put out feelers to Wade through back channels or even directly, but arranging sit-down meetings with a head coach candidate is more challenging when your season isn’t over—especially if your current head coach still holds the title.

It’s official: Darian DeVries has left West Virginia for Indiana, with his formal introduction taking place this morning. This development clarifies a couple of things. First, it confirms that Will Wade will not be the next head coach of the Hoosiers. While some Indiana fans were interested in Wade, as time passed, those close to the situation did not believe he was under serious consideration. Second, DeVries going to Indiana means Clemson head coach Brad Brownell is not taking the job. Brownell to Indiana was always a potential obstacle to Wade landing in Raleigh. Clemson is Wade’s alma mater, and the possibility of becoming the Tigers’ head coach prevented him from taking the NC State job back in 2017.

According to recent reports, Brownell isn’t going anywhere, as Clemson is finalizing a six-year deal that would keep him with the Tigers through 2031.

Sources: Clemson is finalizing a new six-year deal for coach Brad Brownell that will keep him at the school through 2031. He led Clemson to the Elite Eight last year. The deal is pending board approval and should be finalized in the near future.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) March 19, 2025

So, now we know that Wade isn’t going to Indiana or Clemson.

When rumors of DeVries heading to Indiana began circulating, West Virginia fans quickly speculated about potential replacements. ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla even suggested that it would be the perfect fit.

Seriously, get Will Wade on Line 1 right now. Perfect fit. https://t.co/E34s8NWYUy

— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) March 18, 2025

Lastly, Texas has always been a potential obstacle to NC State landing Wade. Currently, Rodney Terry remains the head coach of the Longhorns, but his seat is hot—and it could get even hotter tonight if Texas loses to Xavier in the First Four matchup. While I feel extremely confident about NC State’s chances of hiring Wade, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to root for the Longhorns tonight.

Texas, of course, has deep pockets and could swoop in at the last second with a Don Corleone-sized offer.

However, at this stage, I believe Texas, West Virginia, or any other late-emerging school is simply too late to the party.

At this point, I’d be shocked if Will Wade isn’t named the next head coach at NC State within the next week.