McNeese State skilled an prompt turnaround in Yr 1 of the Will Wade period, going 30-4 with an NCAA Event look after 11 straight shedding seasons. The Cowboys are assured it gained’t be the extent of his MSU resume.
Wade’s bunch was one of the crucial dominant in school basketball final 12 months, rating sixth the NCAA in protection whereas boasting a High 40 mark in factors scored.
The pinnacle coach arrived in Lake Charles, LA after teaching at close by LSU. With the Tigers, Wade noticed main success, main his squads to 3 Large Dances throughout 5 seasons. That included a Candy 16 run in addition to an SEC title.
Sadly, issues got here crashing down shortly thereafter.
Recruiting violations turned his downfall and he was fired amid a federal corruption investigation in 2022. For that purpose, he acquired a present trigger and a subsequent five-game suspension upon being employed by the Cowboys, serving that punishment earlier than even teaching his first recreation.
Regardless of that atypical begin, McNeese State thrived beneath Will Wade’s management, making its first March Insanity look in twenty years.
That turnaround, mixed with previous success within the SEC, has the top coach atop a lot of sizzling boards this offseason.
One program of curiosity is Wade’s former rival, Arkansas, who noticed Eric Musselman bolt for USC on Thursday. May he be in line for an interview and potential transfer again to the key stage?
McNeese isn’t frightened!
Shortly after that Musselman information broke, the Cowboys‘ social media staff posted a GIF on their X timeline as they laughed off the hypothesis.
pic.twitter.com/uurKneMxnd
— McNeese Males’s Basketball (@McNeeseMBB) April 4, 2024
It’s a transfer that might come again to chunk ought to Wade finally resolve to go away, although the college is doing all it may well to maintain him put. That features a current contract extension and wage bump, which additionally got here geared up with a hefty buyout.
We’ll see if it’s sufficient to discourage the competitors.