Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
By Chris Marler
Stop me if you’ve heard this before – LSU just hired a polarizing, borderline universally hated coach.
Former NC State and LSU basketball coach Will Wade is coming home to Baton Rouge. In a move that was somehow equally shocking and not shocking at all, the prodigal son and his closest allies seem to be back at LSU.
In bringing Will Wade back, Verge Ausberry has assembled a Mount Rushmore of villains in college sports. LSU fans don’t care. Nor should they. Social media sure does seem to though. Here are some of our favorite reactions to Will Wade coming back.
If Bobby Petrino can return to Arkansas and Will Wade can return to LSU… pic.twitter.com/fD6dxdRrAb
— Connor Stalions (@cpstalions) March 26, 2026
Someone accused NC State basketball fans of falling in love with a stripper and that might be the perfect analogy. 😂
— Stan Holmes (@StanHolmes08) March 25, 2026
Dearest Mother—
I’m coming home. Slaughter a pig, fill the pitchers, and let the band play neck.
— GeneralWade (@GeneralWillWade) March 25, 2026
With Will Wade now returning to LSU as the head basketball coach, does he, Lane Kiffin, and Kim Mulkey make up the most polarizing trio of coaches in college sports? pic.twitter.com/dDZAmml2j3
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) March 26, 2026
LSU spending last 6 months:
* Lane Kiffin contract: $91 million
* Brian Kelly: $54 million buyout
* Reported 2026 football roster: $40 million
* Matt McMahon buyout: $8 million
* Will Wade buyout: $3 millionWould love to know where the money is ACTUALLY coming from in BR 😏 pic.twitter.com/OhgsSagJbb
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) March 26, 2026
A 3 second summary of the Will Wade Era in Raleigh https://t.co/4DgNbapHsb
— Lupus (@LupusBeowulf) March 26, 2026
Lane Kiffin came from Ole Miss
Jay Johnson came from Arizona
Will Wade came from NC State
Kim Mulkey came from BaylorIn College Athletics, there are big programs, and there are elite programs
And then above all, there is LSU. #JustDifferent pic.twitter.com/MlaiEvg4Ah
— Tingle & Co (@Tingle__Co) March 26, 2026
Hey NCAA, us more about players that don’t show “loyalty,” don’t want to go through “adversity” and how player movement impacts stability. Tell us more about “tampering” and “poaching.” The Coaches Portal is ALWAYS open. Funny how silent coaches and administrators are about that. https://t.co/kauDh1zAiF
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) March 26, 2026
“ChatGPT create a character with Kim Mulkey’s fashion, Lane Kiffin’s face and Will Wade’s body” pic.twitter.com/M18Wz86Dwj
— Lupus (@LupusBeowulf) March 26, 2026
Will Wade’s return to #LSU is like Napoleon’s return from the island of Elba. #GeauxTigers pic.twitter.com/u4mRHqAh2O
— Message Board Geniuses (@BoardGeniuses) March 26, 2026
LSU has pulled off the unthinkable across the last four months.
– Hire Lane Kiffin in a historic move.
– Retain DC Blake Baker.
– Ink the No. 1 Transfer Class in America.
– Sign the No. 1 QB, No. 1 OL + No. 1 EDGE.
– Hire Will Wade in a blockbuster move.
– Etc.LSU Athletics.📈 pic.twitter.com/KFEuYPdygB
— Zack Nagy (@znagy20) March 26, 2026
$38M-plus football roster
$15M put aside for hoops (rumored)
$54M to Brian Kelly’s buyout
$91M to Lane Kiffin’s new dealWhere’s this LSU money printer located??
— Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) March 25, 2026
Source confirms to @CBSSports on Will Wade to LSU: “Yes it’s done. He’s gone.”
Will Wade is leaving NC State after one season, a 20-14 record and a one-and-done in the First Four to go back to LSU.
One of the more bizarre, elongated, shameless coaching courtships ever.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) March 26, 2026
Verge Ausberry collecting the final infinity stone of hated coaches as the rest of college sports yells into the abyss #LSU #JustDifferent pic.twitter.com/iFJyI6tGro
— Chris Marler (@Vern_Funquist) March 26, 2026
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