McNeese’s remarkable two-year journey with Will Wade came to a conclusion on Saturday, as the No. 12 seed Cowboys lost 76-62 to No. 4 seed Purdue in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Wade is poised to succeed Kevin Keatts as NC State’s head coach after transforming the Cowboys’ program into one of its finest eras.
Before Wade’s tenure began, McNeese had experienced 11 consecutive seasons of losing records and hadn’t participated in the NCAA Tournament since 2002. The university took a chance on Wade, who had been dismissed from LSU in 2022 in the wake of an FBI and NCAA investigation regarding recruiting violations.
Wade found an opportunity to revive his coaching career at McNeese, quickly enhancing the talent level and leading the team to its best season ever in 2023-24, achieving a 30-4 record, although they faced a first-round defeat against No. 5 seed Gonzaga.
This season, the Cowboys secured 28 wins, including their first NCAA Tournament victory over No. 5 seed Clemson. Although they were outmatched against Purdue from the start, it was still a triumphant season for the Southland Conference champions in both the regular season and the tournament.
In a post-game interview, Wade expressed his thoughts on the importance of second chances, saying, “I am a believer in second chances. A lot of people in our program have been given a second chance, which is why we’re so close.” He reflected on the team’s journey over the past two years and recognized the incredible achievement of winning 40 league games in two seasons.
When asked about his future with NC State, Wade remarked, “I want to take this time to focus on what we accomplished at McNeese. The program is in good shape, and we have a solid plan moving forward. I believe we are just getting started.” He also shared his gratitude for the community’s support, highlighting the unique bond formed between the town and the players as they celebrated local achievements together.
Wade specifically praised players Christian Shumate and Javohn Garcia for their loyalty and contributions to the program. “Shu believed in us during the most challenging times, and Garcia has been remarkably steady,” he noted. Wade appreciated how these players embraced the vision and journey, acknowledging the community’s gratitude for their dedication to the McNeese program.
