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In a bit of stunning news on Saturday, LSU will part ways with head basketball coach Will Wade. This comes after the team received notice of allegations from the NCAA this week stemming from alleged NCAA violations committed by the head coach.
This comes just one day after the team was eliminated by Arkansas in the SEC Tournament and one day before it was to find out its destination for the NCAA Tournament. Assistant coach Kevin Nickelberry will serve as the interim head coach.
#LSU has fired Will Wade, sources confirm to @SInow. @JonRothstein first.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) March 12, 2022
School owes him nothing if the NOA cites violations committed by Wade. It is expected to include that.
This marks the end of a five-year tenure for Wade in Baton Rouge, LA, that was mixed with on-court success and off-court controversies with the NCAA. He was suspended in 2019 after an FBI wiretap reportedly revealed him discussing an offer for a prospective recruit. He would be reinstated with modifications to his contract stipulating that the school could fire him if the NCAA were to issue a notice that he committed a Level I or II violation.
Wade finished his stint at LSU posting a 105-51 record, including two trips to the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers are projected as a five-seed in the upcoming tourney.