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BATON ROUGE, La. — Momentum continues to build toward a reunion between LSU and former head coach Will Wade as negotiations with NC State have yet to produce an agreement to keep him in Raleigh.
Wade met with NC State officials Wednesday evening, according to a source, as the school made its pitch for him to remain with the program. However, the two sides did not immediately reach terms, opening the door for LSU to finalize a deal to bring Wade back to Baton Rouge.
Will Wade met with NC State officials Wednesday evening as they made their pitch to keep the coach in Raleigh, source confirms.
The sides did not immediately agree on terms for Wade to remain at NC State, making a return to LSU feel imminent.
LSU would be willing to negotiate a…
— Matt Moscona (@MattMoscona) March 26, 2026
LSU is reportedly willing to negotiate a settlement on Wade’s $5 million buyout with NC State in an effort to expedite the process. The buyout drops to $3 million after April 1.
As of Thursday morning, Wade has not yet signed a formal agreement with LSU, but a deal could be completed as soon as today, per a source.
One key component of Wade’s potential return remains unchanged: the addition of McNeese athletic director Heath Shroyer to LSU’s administration is considered a non-negotiable condition. That domino has fallen. McNeese announced Thursday morning that Shroyer was leaving LSU to become Senior Deputy AD/Executive Director of External Relations for the LSU System.
Before LSU can officially bring Wade back, the school must formalize their separation with current head coach Matt McMahon. To this point, McMahon has not been informed of his dismissal.
As previously reported, if a deal with Wade is not finalized, McMahon would be retained for a fifth season. LSU is negotiating terms of a new contract with Wade and his representation.
For now, all signs point toward LSU and Wade moving closer to a reunion. Final details could potentially be coming together in the near future.
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