What It Would Cost LSU to Hire Will Wade Away from NC State?

Unless something unexpected happens, it looks like NC State head coach Will Wade will be headed back to LSU for a second run.

If that scenario plays out, what would it actually cost LSU to make it happen?

The Buyout to NC State

Wade signed a 6-year, $17.25 million deal with NC State almost exactly one year ago.

If LSU were to hire him right now, they would owe NC State a $5 million buyout. That number doesn’t stay there for long. After April 1st, the buyout drops to $3 million. So there’s already a built-in clock on the price tag.

What LSU Would Also Have to Pay

Hiring Wade wouldn’t just be about buying him out of Raleigh.

LSU would first have to move on from current head coach Matt McMahon, who still has three years remaining on his contract. That decision comes with a steep $8 million buyout to fire McMahon
The Real Cost

Before LSU even gets to negotiating a new deal with Wade, the total cost would look like this:

If hired before April 1:
$5 million → NC State buyout
$8 million → McMahon buyout
Total: $13 million

If hired after April 1:
$3 million → NC State buyout
$8 million → McMahon buyout
Total: $11 million