LOOK: Matt McMahon makes first appearance as LSU coach

The LSU Tigers new men’s basketball coach has made his first public appearance since the announcement was reported about his hiring. The Tigers officially announced the hire of Murray State head coach Matt McMahon on Monday evening. McMahon takes over after the Tigers fired former head coach Will Wade for cause. And now that he’s taken over, he’s wasting very little time taking in LSU basketball.

McMahon was spotted in attendance at the Tigers NCAA Women’s Tournament game against the Ohio State Buckeyes. As you can see in the photos below, the new LSU men’s basketball headman is already showing off some school spirit with a dash of purple.

New @LSUBasketball head coach Matt McMahon checking out the @LSUwbkb game. #LSU pic.twitter.com/ef8w84vVS4

— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) March 22, 2022

The announcement of McMahon hire comes after On3’s Billy Embody reported he was favorite on Sunday night. The Murray State Racers won their opening-round NCAA Tournament game against San Francisco. However, Saint Peter’s bounced them out in the second round this past weekend. McMahon reportedly picked the LSU job over interest from South Carolina.

Since taking over the Racers prior to the 2015 season, McMahon led Murray State to a 54-67 record. Additionally, the program has made three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. 

Matt McMahon chooses LSU over South Carolina

Additional details have been reported on Monday regarding former Murray State head coach Matt McMahon’s decision to accept the LSU coaching position. The report indicates that McMahon preferred LSU so much over South Carolina that the threat of NCAA punishments for the Tigers did not dissuade him.

“McMahon was able to negotiate a seven-year deal with LSU,” detailed CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander. “South Carolina tried to push, but it speaks to the allure of each job that, despite NCAA punishments sure to come, McMahon still preferred to head to Baton Rouge.”

The punishments that Norlander is referring to are the expected penalties imposed by the NCAA for violations committed by former head coach Will Wade and LSU. Although the school acted quickly once the investigation turned up evidence and they received a formal statement of allegations, the severity of any punishments handed down to them is expected to be notable.

As for South Carolina, it appears that both SEC schools were in the running to acquire the leadership of McMahon. Despite their pitch and the lingering shadow of NCAA sanctions however, it appears that LSU was the premier destination out of the two according to Norlander.

LSU now enters a new era of sports in both football and basketball, as two new head coaches with a proven record are taking over their respective programs. McMahon will join former Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly in Baton Rouge as the pair look to establish themselves early. While LSU’s football season ended with a disappointing record, LSU basketball finished with a six-seed in the NCAA Tournament before the firing of Wade. The Tigers bracket run ended quickly though at the hands of Iowa State, a team that shocked many by reaching the Sweet 16.