History of Will Wade in Timeline

Frank Williams Wade is an American college basketball coach currently at North Carolina State University. Before this position, he served as the head men's basketball coach at Chattanooga, VCU, LSU, and McNeese State.

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Full Timeline

1980: LSU's Last Victories Over Top 5 Opponents

In the 2018-19 season, Will Wade coached the LSU team to two victories over top 5 opponents (Kentucky and Tennessee), the first time LSU had done so since 1980.

November 26, 1982: Will Wade's Birth

On November 26, 1982, Frank Williams Wade, known as Will Wade, was born. He is now an American college basketball coach at North Carolina State University.

Others born on this day/year

2002: Student Manager at Clemson

In 2002, Will Wade began his career as the student manager of the Clemson men's basketball team.

2005: Graduate Assistant at Clemson

In 2005, Will Wade became a graduate assistant for the Clemson men's basketball team after serving as student manager.

2005: Last Time LSU Won First Five SEC Games

The 2018-19 season was the first time LSU won their first five SEC games since the 2005-06 team.

2006: Director of Basketball Operations at Clemson

In 2006, Will Wade was promoted to Director of Basketball Operations for the Clemson men's basketball team.

2007: Assistant Coach at Harvard

In 2007, Will Wade was hired by Tommy Amaker as his first assistant coach at Harvard men's basketball, where he helped recruit a top 25 class.

2008: Second Season at Harvard

In 2008, Will Wade continued his role as assistant coach at Harvard, working under Tommy Amaker.

2009: Assistant Coach at VCU

In 2009, Will Wade began his tenure as an assistant coach at VCU under Shaka Smart.

2011: VCU Final Four Appearance

In 2011, Will Wade helped VCU reach the Final Four as an assistant coach under Shaka Smart.

2012: VCU Season Record

In 2012, VCU, where Will Wade was an assistant coach, finished the season with a 27-9 record and a No. 23 national ranking.

2013: VCU Season Record

In 2013, VCU, with Will Wade as assistant coach, was one of only five teams nationally to win 27 or more games.

2013: Head Coach at Chattanooga

In 2013, Will Wade became the head coach of the Chattanooga Mocs basketball program.

2014: Southern Conference Coach of the Year

In 2014, Will Wade was named the Southern Conference's Coach of the Year while leading the Chattanooga Mocs.

March 21, 2017: Head Coach at LSU

On March 21, 2017, Will Wade accepted the head coach position at Louisiana State University (LSU).

December 28, 2017: 100th Career Victory

On December 28, 2017, Will Wade achieved his 100th career victory with a win over Memphis.

2018: Tigers Won First Five SEC Games

In the 2018-19 season, Will Wade's LSU Tigers won their first five SEC games in a row.

March 7, 2019: FBI Wiretap Report

On March 7, 2019, reports surfaced that Will Wade discussed an offer to a recruit, which was overheard on an FBI wiretap. He described the payment as a "strong-ass offer".

April 14, 2019: Suspension Lifted

On April 14, 2019, LSU lifted Will Wade's suspension after it was imposed due to the FBI probe.

April 24, 2019: Contract Modifications

On April 24, 2019, it was reported that Will Wade agreed to significant modifications to his contract in order to be reinstated, including forfeiting bonuses and allowing LSU to fire him for cause under certain NCAA violations.

2019: Contract Renegotiations

In 2019, Will Wade renegotiated his contract which would have led to the end of his tenure if a formal notice of allegations would have been issued by the IARP.

August 25, 2020: Investigation Headed to Independent Panel

On August 25, 2020, reports surfaced that the investigation into alleged recruiting violations by Will Wade was ongoing and headed to an independent panel.

2021: SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament

In 2021, Will Wade led his LSU Tigers to the championship game of the SEC Tournament and an 8-seed in the NCAA Tournament.

March 12, 2022: Termination as LSU Coach

On March 12, 2022, Will Wade was terminated as the coach of LSU after the NCAA formally served a notice of allegations based on investigations into recruiting violations.

March 12, 2023: Hired by McNeese State

On March 12, 2023, Will Wade was hired to coach at McNeese State University, replacing John Aiken.

2023: Suspension and Show-Cause Penalty

In 2023, Will Wade was suspended for the first 10 games of the 2023-24 season and given a two-year show-cause penalty for recruiting and bribery violations at LSU.

March 20, 2025: First NCAA Tournament Win

On March 20, 2025, Will Wade led McNeese to its first-ever NCAA tournament win, defeating Clemson 69-67 in the Round of 64. The Cowboys later lost to Purdue in the Round of 32.