March Madness Coach Will Wade to Join NC State After Tournament: Report

March Madness is delivering its usual dose of drama, but Will Wade is taking it to a whole new level this year. The McNeese head coach is set to face off against Clemson—his alma mater—on Thursday at 3:15 p.m. in Providence, Rhode Island, as his Cowboys aim for an upset. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

According to multiple reports, Wade has already agreed to become NC State’s head coach after the tournament concludes. Talk about multitasking under pressure!

The 42-year-old coach didn’t shy away from confirming the buzz. When asked earlier this week about his contact with NC State, Wade delivered a simple, no-nonsense “yes.” Transparency is clearly his style, as he emphasized that he’s been upfront with his assistants and players about the situation.

"Just tell it like it is," Wade said. "You may not always like what I’m going to say, but I’m going to tell you what I think. The guys are reading it on social media. It’s no secret. I’m not going to ask them to do something I’m not willing to do. It’s no good if you don’t address it and if you sit there and BS them. They can read right through the BS, so you might as well. Hey, this is what it is. Here we are, and we’ll figure it out."

Wade’s new gig comes after NC State fired Kevin Keatts on March 9 following a disastrous 12-19 season. Keatts’ eight-year tenure ended abruptly, overshadowed by last year’s impressive finish but unable to compensate for this year’s collapse. The Wolfpack didn’t even qualify for the ACC Tournament as reigning champions. Ouch.

Meanwhile, Wade’s current team, the Cowboys, enters this year's tournament with a sparkling 27-6 record and fresh off its second straight Southland Conference championship. Wade’s coaching résumé is equally impressive, including stints at LSU, VCU, and Chattanooga, but this situation definitely calls for some serious juggling.

As Wade prepares to face Clemson, knowing his next chapter is already lined up, one can only wonder how he’s managing the emotional rollercoaster. If anyone can balance leading his team while planning his future, it might just be Wade. Stay tuned for what’s sure to be an eventful March Madness.