On March 12th, 2022 LSU announced that the school was firing Head Basketball Coach Will Wade after receiving a Notice of Allegations detailing significant misconduct. Wade's LSU team was on its way to its third NCAA Tournament under his five years as Head Coach, which would've been four appearances in five years if not for the pandemic canceled tournament.
Flash forward exactly three years later, and Will Wade's McNeese Cowboys started the day off by winning the Southland Conference Tournament punching their ticket to the NCAA Tournament. The berth marks Wade's second season in a row winning both the Conference Regular Season and Tournament Titles. Through two seasons at McNeese State, all Will Wade has done is win with a 49-8 record and a 36-2 record in Conference.
Following McNeese State punching its ticket to the NCAA Tournament, the struggling LSU Tigers kicked off the SEC Tournament and were just about eliminated at halftime as they trailed 44-24 at the half. In the three years since firing Will Wade, LSU is 45-48 with a 3-16 record in SEC Play.
At 14-18 on the season and 3-16 in SEC Play, the LSU Tigers will not go dancing this March unless the NCAA Tournament Committee somehow puts the Tigers into the field.
The only way to describe the feeling for LSU fans is that the way everything has played out is infuriating. Everywhere Will Wade has gone he's rebuilt the program from Chattanooga to LSU and now McNeese State. LSU on the other hand has committed to a revamped effort on the NIL Front to bring more talent to the roster.
Under Will Wade, LSU was a constant threat in the SEC winning a Conference Championship, making deep runs in the SEC Tournament, and making a Sweet Sixteen. The Tigers haven't come close to accomplishing any of those feats in the three years since as programs LSU seemed far superior than under Wade have surpassed the Tigers.
Will Wade was fired for allegations of recruiting violations, something that simply doesn't exist anymore, as Wade would now be encouraged for his actions.
The most frustrating part of Wade's Departure for LSU
LSU fired the coach that was able to reach the ceiling the program had, and with more chances, he seemed poised to break through eventually. After the entire investigation, Wade was only suspended for 10 games, a punishment LSU would've been perfectly fine with weathering. LSU found a rare coach they'll likely spend years and millions looking to replace and it only stings more when he's succeeding right down the road.