LSU is finalizing a deal to bring back former coach Will Wade from NC State, creating an unusual situation where current coach Matt McMahon still has a job. Wade was fired in 2022 amid an NCAA investigation, with LSU facing significant sanctions. Governor Jeff Landry has been instrumental in this push, maintaining a strong relationship with Wade despite the program's past issues.

The move will cost LSU more than $8 million in buyout money for McMahon, who went 60-70 in four years, including 17-55 in SEC play. LSU has already spent heavily recently, putting over $60 million in dead money on the books this year. Wade's expected contract will start at a little less than $5 million annually, part of a spending binge by the university.

LSU's clumsy courtship has played out publicly, with Wade publicly pledging loyalty to NC State as recently as the ACC tournament. The dominoes needed for this reunion have fallen with the hiring of president Wade Rousse and athletic director Heath Schroyer, both with ties to Wade. Wade led LSU to three NCAA tournaments in five seasons before his firing, including the program's first SEC regular-season title in a decade.