NC State Coaching Search: What McNeese’s Upset Over Clemson in the NCAAT Means for NC State & Will Wade

McNeese St. Head Coach Will Wade was NC State’s top candidate to become their Men’s Basketball Coach over the past couple of weeks.

NC State fans have been pulling their hair out, bit by bit, as each day passed, wondering if Wade would end up at Indiana, Clemson, Virginia, Villanova, Ole Miss, Texas, or any other school in need of a coach.

Yesterday, dreams came true for Wolfpack nation.

News broke that Will Wade and NC State had reached a verbal agreement for him to become the next Head Coach for the Wolfpack.

We aren’t used to getting our top choice. We’re accustomed to enduring the typical NC State struggles…well, you know the rest.

Neither NC State nor Wade has made an official statement confirming the reports, which wouldn’t be expected at this point, with the Cowboys still competing in the NCAA Tournament.

After McNeese St. shocked the world today, national talking heads started stirring the pot, speculating that other teams were going to swoop in and offer Wade bigger bags of money.

Will Wade still hasn’t signed the deal yet, NC State fans. …

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 20, 2025

As others have mentioned, Will Wade has not *officially* signed anything with NC State yet.

Yeah, I’d fly to Providence and camp outside the McNeese hotel with a boombox if I was the NC State AD.

Especially with Texas (almost certainly) ready to open in the coming days ⏳⏳

— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) March 20, 2025

Three Thoughts

1. People aren’t used to NC State having nice things. It’s time to find a new narrative.
2. I think Xavier’s Sean Miller is going to be the next head coach at Texas. According to a source, he had a verbal agreement with the Longhorns last year before Rodney Terry finished the season strong.
3. I wouldn’t be surprised if Wade has already signed “something.”

Implications of McNeese St.’s Win Over Clemson for NC State

What does this victory mean for NC State?

It signifies that the college basketball world has recognized that the Wolfpack is about to gain a heck of a coach.

What does the Cowboys’ historic win mean for the Wolfpack?

NC State is getting a coach whose passion and love for the game of basketball are evident and infectious.

Will Wade is very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, excited. pic.twitter.com/FmyBAXfVml

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 20, 2025

Lot of focus on Will Wade in this clip…in news recently…but something equally important to point out!

The PPL you see him hugging are school leaders…the ones who hired him , resourced him, and cared enough to make WINNING a priority!

As a Coach- Find a job where you would… pic.twitter.com/WHuiYglHvV

— Mike Hedrick (@coachhedrickjr) March 20, 2025

Will Wade is hyped!

McNeese State holds on to beat Clemson and wins its first NCAA Tournament game in school history. pic.twitter.com/dE0mjqLokY

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) March 20, 2025

An official announcement is delayed while the Cowboys prepare to play Purdue in the second round on Saturday.

Regarding Saturday’s game, on one hand, it would be awesome to see McNeese shock the world once again and advance to the Sweet 16. On the other hand, if the Cowboys lose, an announcement and press conference could quickly follow, allowing Wade to be in place for the opening of the Transfer Portal on Monday.

Take a deep breath, NC State fans.

Enjoy watching your next head coach on Saturday.

His name is Will Wade.