NC State Basketball

Will Wade Is Leaving NC State For LSU

Multiple sources have confirmed that NC State head coach Will Wade will leave after one season and accept the head coaching job at LSU, whenever it becomes available in the near future.
By James Henderson
March 26, 2026
51k Views
886 Comments
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Photo by Steve Murphy/Inside Pack Sports

Multiple sources have confirmed that NC State head coach Will Wade will leave after one season and accept the head coaching job at LSU, whenever it becomes available in the near future.

Wade posted a 20-14 record in his lone season at NC State, finishing 10-8 in the ACC with a loss to Texas in the First Four of the NCAA Tournament.

Stay tuned for more shortly from Inside Pack Sports!

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Will Wade Is Leaving NC State For LSU (Locking at 3PM)

13,037 Views | 886 Replies | Last: 25 days ago by BP Cox
Craddock
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5:03p, 3/26/26
What the hell did we ever do to Dan Dakich? Man he is going off on us on X saying we got exactly what we deserve that we are scum and we are a bottom piece of the ACC job. He is going hard.
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AustinWolf828
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5:06p, 3/26/26
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broccolipack
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In reply to Craddock • 5:08p, 3/26/26
Craddock said:
What the hell did we ever do to Dan Dakich? Man he is going off on us on X saying we got exactly what we deserve that we are scum and we are a bottom piece of the ACC job. He is going hard.

who?
BS - 2018
MS - 2020
PhD - 2023
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hokiewolf
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In reply to Bryant Carson • 5:11p, 3/26/26
Well said. With so many options for your entertainment dollar as well as where to go for NC State information, to me trust is the biggest factor I use to decide whom I subscribe to. Do I get something that I pay for?

James checks all the boxes. I've said this before to him, this site is more innovative and creative than any other site covering a college sports team and it not even close.
Originator of the Tony Adams Scale
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FlockaWolf
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In reply to Craddock • 5:15p, 3/26/26
Craddock said:
What the hell did we ever do to Dan Dakich? Man he is going off on us on X saying we got exactly what we deserve that we are scum and we are a bottom piece of the ACC job. He is going hard.


He's a crazy person that no one takes serious so don't really care
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hokiewolf
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In reply to Craddock • 5:16p, 3/26/26
Craddock said:
What the hell did we ever do to Dan Dakich? Man he is going off on us on X saying we got exactly what we deserve that we are scum and we are a bottom piece of the ACC job. He is going hard.
you should stop following Dan Dakich
Originator of the Tony Adams Scale
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wilmwolf
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In reply to hokiewolf • 5:19p, 3/26/26
hokiewolf said:
Craddock said:
What the hell did we ever do to Dan Dakich? Man he is going off on us on X saying we got exactly what we deserve that we are scum and we are a bottom piece of the ACC job. He is going hard.
you should stop following Dan Dakich


I'm surprised his name isn't censored here. That dude's been riding our jock for more than a decade.
Wise men speak because they have something to say. Fools speak because they have to say something
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ncsupack1
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In reply to Bryant Carson • 5:21p, 3/26/26
Bryant Carson said:
hokiewolf said:
Also, shout out to James, don't want this to go unnoticed. You did a great job of reporting and navigating a difficult situation that had made a lot of people angry.

I appreciate you posting this. I have thought a few times over the last few days to put up a post sharing this sentiment.

Henderson is my partner here at IPS and my very good friend. We talk on a daily basis and kick around all things happening with NCSU athletics, IPS, etc. Doing the job that he and Steve do and have done for years gets tough in these situations and both of those guys have done almighty work in navigating through all the rumors, sources, whispers and sometimes clear and direct information that they have to figure out the correct way to provide it to our subscribers without betraying a source or some trust afforded to them. That said, this one might've been the most difficult one to navigate given the general insanity and unlikelihood of the entire scenario. I believe Henderson intends to write up a timeline summary of how things happened on our end and how and when he decided to pass things along. But, until then I just wanted to put forth a well deserved, 'well done' for the way he handled this whole thing.

Going back to deciding to do the zoom interview with the LSU writer at the F5 site. That wasn't well received or popular and at the time probably seemed a little out of place. At that time he got quite a bit of push back as well as some out right animus from some folks here and otherwise. I get it though because it had to be so far off most anyone's radar much less anything that sounded logical or practical. There were several conversations between the two of us where he asked me if he should drop it or if he was crazy for believing that there was something there with the whole deal. We would walk through the smoke of what we knew, what we thought, what had happened, what hadn't happened and probably the biggest key to it all which was what hadn't happened that should have. It was that last question that kept him going with it. He picked up on a faint whiff of **** that was blowing through heavy winds from several hundred miles away.

No one is happy with this outcome...it stinks for NC State, Pack fans, IPS, etc but I'm very proud of the work Henderson did to stay the course and remain open to what was brewing.


James runs the best NC State site there is. IPS also has the best staff as well. I want to say thank you for everything you guys do!
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CLTWolf
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In reply to ncsupack1 • 5:30p, 3/26/26
ncsupack1 said:
Bryant Carson said:
hokiewolf said:
Also, shout out to James, don't want this to go unnoticed. You did a great job of reporting and navigating a difficult situation that had made a lot of people angry.

I appreciate you posting this. I have thought a few times over the last few days to put up a post sharing this sentiment.

Henderson is my partner here at IPS and my very good friend. We talk on a daily basis and kick around all things happening with NCSU athletics, IPS, etc. Doing the job that he and Steve do and have done for years gets tough in these situations and both of those guys have done almighty work in navigating through all the rumors, sources, whispers and sometimes clear and direct information that they have to figure out the correct way to provide it to our subscribers without betraying a source or some trust afforded to them. That said, this one might've been the most difficult one to navigate given the general insanity and unlikelihood of the entire scenario. I believe Henderson intends to write up a timeline summary of how things happened on our end and how and when he decided to pass things along. But, until then I just wanted to put forth a well deserved, 'well done' for the way he handled this whole thing.

Going back to deciding to do the zoom interview with the LSU writer at the F5 site. That wasn't well received or popular and at the time probably seemed a little out of place. At that time he got quite a bit of push back as well as some out right animus from some folks here and otherwise. I get it though because it had to be so far off most anyone's radar much less anything that sounded logical or practical. There were several conversations between the two of us where he asked me if he should drop it or if he was crazy for believing that there was something there with the whole deal. We would walk through the smoke of what we knew, what we thought, what had happened, what hadn't happened and probably the biggest key to it all which was what hadn't happened that should have. It was that last question that kept him going with it. He picked up on a faint whiff of **** that was blowing through heavy winds from several hundred miles away.

No one is happy with this outcome...it stinks for NC State, Pack fans, IPS, etc but I'm very proud of the work Henderson did to stay the course and remain open to what was brewing.


James runs the best NC State site there is. IPS also has the best staff as well. I want to say thank you for everything you guys do!


Everyone knows James (and Steve) but Bryant is that dude too.

I've had the pleasure to get to know Bryant over the last however many years and he's as solid as they come as a human.

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113Chamberlain
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In reply to ncsupack1 • 5:31p, 3/26/26
Yep. I'm a member at TOS but I'd if I've ever even posted. Just renew when they do the 75% off annual deal to keep my Paramount+ subscription.

So if James somehow figures out how to get that perk I'll be solely IPS 24/7
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Wolfpack91
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In reply to BobbyCox95 • 5:33p, 3/26/26
BobbyCox95 said:
Id pull for unc if they played lsu/will wade. There...I said it

Same but would still feel dirty.
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AustinWolf828
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5:34p, 3/26/26


This guy's definitely a power bottom.
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Bas2020
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5:35p, 3/26/26
Some State students are currently out at RDU yelling at Wade on the tarmac that he's a "fat *** pear " and "go eat more gumbo you piece of ****".

High quality entertainment.
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wilmwolf
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5:36p, 3/26/26
We're supposed to believe this all started Tuesday night according to Wade's media buddies, and also believe they just happened to hire his boyfriend to be his special athletic director to a position that didn't previously exist? Sure, sure.
Wise men speak because they have something to say. Fools speak because they have to say something
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Bas2020
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In reply to AustinWolf828 • 5:37p, 3/26/26
AustinWolf828 said:


This guy's definitely a power bottom.


I could see Heath floating down the Bayou holding onto Wade's "inner tube" for sure …..
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Ghost8
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In reply to BobbyCox95 • 5:38p, 3/26/26
BobbyCox95 said:
Id pull for unc if they played lsu/will wade. There...I said it


I might say I was going to do that. I've never been able to make myself pull for Carolina though. Even when we would benefit. Just never actually happens.
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TVPack
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In reply to Bas2020 • 5:39p, 3/26/26
Bas2020 said:
Some State students are currently out at RDU yelling at Wade on the tarmac that he's a "fat *** pear " and "go eat more gumbo you piece of ****".

High quality entertainment.


The kids are alright after all.
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SportManagementEngineer
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5:44p, 3/26/26
Twitter: @JJwith2Jays
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BigPack1517
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5:46p, 3/26/26
Folks will always have their takes on how they feel about certain local media members, but just know to his core Giglio is one of us.

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3 edits
Borowolf10
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5:49p, 3/26/26
Everyone is talking about us today. Never seen us with this kind of attention.

What do they say? "Any press is good press."?
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ncsupack1
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In reply to CLTWolf • 5:52p, 3/26/26
CLTWolf said:
ncsupack1 said:
Bryant Carson said:
hokiewolf said:
Also, shout out to James, don't want this to go unnoticed. You did a great job of reporting and navigating a difficult situation that had made a lot of people angry.

I appreciate you posting this. I have thought a few times over the last few days to put up a post sharing this sentiment.

Henderson is my partner here at IPS and my very good friend. We talk on a daily basis and kick around all things happening with NCSU athletics, IPS, etc. Doing the job that he and Steve do and have done for years gets tough in these situations and both of those guys have done almighty work in navigating through all the rumors, sources, whispers and sometimes clear and direct information that they have to figure out the correct way to provide it to our subscribers without betraying a source or some trust afforded to them. That said, this one might've been the most difficult one to navigate given the general insanity and unlikelihood of the entire scenario. I believe Henderson intends to write up a timeline summary of how things happened on our end and how and when he decided to pass things along. But, until then I just wanted to put forth a well deserved, 'well done' for the way he handled this whole thing.

Going back to deciding to do the zoom interview with the LSU writer at the F5 site. That wasn't well received or popular and at the time probably seemed a little out of place. At that time he got quite a bit of push back as well as some out right animus from some folks here and otherwise. I get it though because it had to be so far off most anyone's radar much less anything that sounded logical or practical. There were several conversations between the two of us where he asked me if he should drop it or if he was crazy for believing that there was something there with the whole deal. We would walk through the smoke of what we knew, what we thought, what had happened, what hadn't happened and probably the biggest key to it all which was what hadn't happened that should have. It was that last question that kept him going with it. He picked up on a faint whiff of **** that was blowing through heavy winds from several hundred miles away.

No one is happy with this outcome...it stinks for NC State, Pack fans, IPS, etc but I'm very proud of the work Henderson did to stay the course and remain open to what was brewing.


James runs the best NC State site there is. IPS also has the best staff as well. I want to say thank you for everything you guys do!


Everyone knows James (and Steve) but Bryant is that dude too.

I've had the pleasure to get to know Bryant over the last however many years and he's as solid as they come as a human.


Thanks for sharing that. That's why I posted about the staff here, not a better group in this industry.
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CLTWolf
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In reply to BigPack1517 • 5:53p, 3/26/26
BigPack1517 said:
Folks will always have their takes on how they feel about certain reporters, but just know to his core Giglio is one of us.


Welp, I'll never say another bad word about Giglio again.

Respect.
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PortCityPack
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In reply to BigPack1517 • 5:55p, 3/26/26
BigPack1517 said:
Folks will always have their takes on how they feel about certain reporters, but just know to his core Giglio is one of us.


Go back and watch his entire 10 minute beat down of Wade. I have hated on Giglio for years but damn he earned my respect today. Hell of a speach on the podcast today!
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Pigmask
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In reply to BigPack1517 • 5:55p, 3/26/26
BigPack1517 said:
Folks will always have their takes on how they feel about certain reporters, but just know to his core Giglio is one of us.


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CLTWolf
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In reply to ncsupack1 • 5:56p, 3/26/26
ncsupack1 said:
CLTWolf said:
ncsupack1 said:
Bryant Carson said:
hokiewolf said:
Also, shout out to James, don't want this to go unnoticed. You did a great job of reporting and navigating a difficult situation that had made a lot of people angry.

I appreciate you posting this. I have thought a few times over the last few days to put up a post sharing this sentiment.

Henderson is my partner here at IPS and my very good friend. We talk on a daily basis and kick around all things happening with NCSU athletics, IPS, etc. Doing the job that he and Steve do and have done for years gets tough in these situations and both of those guys have done almighty work in navigating through all the rumors, sources, whispers and sometimes clear and direct information that they have to figure out the correct way to provide it to our subscribers without betraying a source or some trust afforded to them. That said, this one might've been the most difficult one to navigate given the general insanity and unlikelihood of the entire scenario. I believe Henderson intends to write up a timeline summary of how things happened on our end and how and when he decided to pass things along. But, until then I just wanted to put forth a well deserved, 'well done' for the way he handled this whole thing.

Going back to deciding to do the zoom interview with the LSU writer at the F5 site. That wasn't well received or popular and at the time probably seemed a little out of place. At that time he got quite a bit of push back as well as some out right animus from some folks here and otherwise. I get it though because it had to be so far off most anyone's radar much less anything that sounded logical or practical. There were several conversations between the two of us where he asked me if he should drop it or if he was crazy for believing that there was something there with the whole deal. We would walk through the smoke of what we knew, what we thought, what had happened, what hadn't happened and probably the biggest key to it all which was what hadn't happened that should have. It was that last question that kept him going with it. He picked up on a faint whiff of **** that was blowing through heavy winds from several hundred miles away.

No one is happy with this outcome...it stinks for NC State, Pack fans, IPS, etc but I'm very proud of the work Henderson did to stay the course and remain open to what was brewing.


James runs the best NC State site there is. IPS also has the best staff as well. I want to say thank you for everything you guys do!


Everyone knows James (and Steve) but Bryant is that dude too.

I've had the pleasure to get to know Bryant over the last however many years and he's as solid as they come as a human.


Thanks for sharing that. That's why I posted about the staff here, not a better group in this industry.

You are not wrong sir.
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wilmwolf
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In reply to CLTWolf • 5:59p, 3/26/26
CLTWolf said:
BigPack1517 said:
Folks will always have their takes on how they feel about certain reporters, but just know to his core Giglio is one of us.


Welp, I'll never say another bad word about Giglio again.

Respect.


I'm not sure I can make that promise, but I agree, props to Joe. I've always said he wasn't a bad guy, I just don't like how he conducts his business. And yeah, I was really surprised at the number of people who loved that picture of WW when it came out, I thought it was poor taste then and even more now.
Wise men speak because they have something to say. Fools speak because they have to say something
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Wufpack17
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In reply to PortCityPack • 6:00p, 3/26/26
PortCityPack said:
BigPack1517 said:
Folks will always have their takes on how they feel about certain reporters, but just know to his core Giglio is one of us.


Go back and watch his entire 10 minute beat down of Wade. I have hated on Giglio for years but damn he earned my respect today. Hell of a speach on the podcast today!


Giglio is a good guy! I've played golf with him a few times. His job is to create clicks! That's fine! I rarely agree with his opinions, but I can promise you he IS a State guy.

he has been Wades biggest critic from Day 1. That says a lot.
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WolfpackSting
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6:01p, 3/26/26
Good riddance
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WolfpackOMFS
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6:05p, 3/26/26
Actually feel good about this. Too much drama, this wouldn't have been a one year thing.

Gainey please.
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BMacPack
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In reply to wilmwolf • 6:05p, 3/26/26
wilmwolf said:
hokiewolf said:
Craddock said:
What the hell did we ever do to Dan Dakich? Man he is going off on us on X saying we got exactly what we deserve that we are scum and we are a bottom piece of the ACC job. He is going hard.
you should stop following Dan Dakich


I'm surprised his name isn't censored here. That dude's been riding our jock for more than a decade.


Just wanted to say **** Dan Dakich.
Go Pack!
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WolfpackKaraoke
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In reply to Bas2020 • 6:48p, 3/26/26
Bas2020 said:
Some State students are currently out at RDU yelling at Wade on the tarmac that he's a "fat *** pear " and "go eat more gumbo you piece of ****".

High quality entertainment.


Wow. Well at least they finally showed up and got loud for something! It being at RDU and not the Lenny was not on my bingo card, but better late than never!
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Pigmask
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In reply to BMacPack • 6:58p, 3/26/26
BMacPack said:
wilmwolf said:
hokiewolf said:
Craddock said:
What the hell did we ever do to Dan Dakich? Man he is going off on us on X saying we got exactly what we deserve that we are scum and we are a bottom piece of the ACC job. He is going hard.

you should stop following Dan Dakich


I'm surprised his name isn't censored here. That dude's been riding our jock for more than a decade.


Just wanted to say **** Dan Dakich.
Go Pack!

Reminder that Dan Dakich took the job at WVU and left eight days later to go back to Bowling Green. He's been coasting off one game over 40 years ago where he guarded Michael Jordan and needs to ragebait on X to try and stay relevant
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Oldsouljer
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In reply to MrStateFanGuy • 7:29p, 3/26/26
MrStateFanGuy said:
Not mine, but it's kinda funny that the internet's noticing the despising gaggle of *******s leading teams at LSU.



What an unlikable bunch. Hope Wade has fun coaching in a half-empty arena, and gets fired within 5 years. When that happens, nobody will touch him outside the Southland.

The Ho-ly Trinity.
CALS grad

“Regulars, by God!”
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wolfpackfan04
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7:32p, 3/26/26
Ole Miss and NC State fans right now.
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ChaosWolf
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In reply to broccolipack • 7:37p, 3/26/26
broccolipack said:



That one actually doesn't even say Wade on it anywhere so I'll probably keep mine. The Wade Ave shirt can go though.
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