Wade Leaves NC State for LSU, AD Expresses Disappointment

0:00On March 26th, Will Wade is leaving North Carolina State men's basketball after just one season to return to Louisiana State University. Hired exactly 366 days ago, Wade led the Wolfpack to the NCAA Tournament's first four before deciding to head back to Baton Rouge. The departure caught NC State Athletic Director Bu Corrigan off guard, Wade skipped a scheduled meeting and resigned through an email from his agent. LSU covered a $4 million buyout, down from a possible $5 million before April 1st. Corrigan expressed deep disappointment, saying he felt a bond of trust had been broken. He highlighted the culture of commitment at NC State and lamented the impact on fans, staff, and the university. Despite the abrupt exit, Corrigan has no regrets about bringing Wade on board. He credited Wade with sparking excitement, filling arenas at the Lenovo Center and boosting rivalries around the area. NC State has already lost a search for the next coach, one fully committed to the program's high standards, academic focus, and passionate fan base.