CBS Sports ‘Candid Coaches’ polled over 100 coaches, and Will Wade was ranked as the #2 best hire (Should have been #1)

This is a pretty cool list because it’s not just some talking heads giving their thoughts.

The CBS Sports ‘Candid Coaches’ series is something they do where they ask questions to 100 different coaches to try to get an idea of what the perception is inside the industry. In this segment, they looked at which coach was the best hire. 

Will Wade (NC State) came in at #2, with 22% of coaches believing he was the top hire. #1 was Ben McCollum (Iowa) with 25%.

I’m biased of course, but McCollum was a dominant force at Northwest Missouri State for 15 years, and then had one good season at Drake, and suddenly he’s the best hire?

Will Wade seems like a more obvious choice if you aren’t going to hold his NCAA violations against him (hey, it’s legal now). Wade has won everywhere he’s been at every level, and you’ve already seen the team he’s built. He’s either in or on the cusp of every Top 25 list, after taking over a roster that didn’t even make the ACC Tournament last year.

Meanwhile, Iowa is barely cracking the Top 40 in most early Top 25s.

To each their own, I guess.

Here is what they had to say about Wade.

• “He will thrive in this new era of college basketball. Someone was going to take a chance and NC State beat everyone to it.”
• “I think it’s the gangster, Will Wade (laughing). Fits NC State perfectly. I think that’s a match made in heaven.”
• “Always has been a really good coach and recruiter. This job fits him and his personality, but also what is needed there too. Someone who doesn’t give a shit about the blue bloods around him.”
• “Perfect marriage with program. Passionate fanbase with deep pockets. Talent-rich region. Plays a fun style. Very good chance to win early and consistently in the weakest [Power Five] league.”
• “What he was fired for the rules are different — look at Houston with Kelvin Sampson. He is the perfect fit to achieve at a high ceiling type of job. He is going to recruit, coach, and sell that program.”