Report: Big name college coach crossed off the list to fill LSU opening

The top question after LSU fired Will Wade was who’d replace him as Tigers coach. A report listed one big name who won’t be going to Baton Rouge.

Stadium’s Jeff Goodman told LSU fans not to expect Baylor coach Scott Drew to leave the Bears Saturday afternoon. That came after Goodman shot down a rumor connecting Drew to the Georgia job, citing the Baylor coach himself.

“You can cross Scott Drew off the list immediately for LSU,” Goodman tweeted. “Not. Happening.”

Baylor SID David Kaye also shot down Drew’s rumored interest in Georgia and his potential concerns about the future of the Big 12. It sure sounds like Drew’s not planning to leave Waco.

“This is 100% false,” Kaye tweeted. “I know for a fact Scott Drew is genuinely excited about the future of the Big 12.”

LSU parts ways with Will Wade after notice of allegations

LSU has parted ways with head basketball coach Will Wade, CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported Saturday. University president William Tate and athletic director Scott Woodward confirmed the move in a lengthy statement later in the day. The decision comes days after the NCAA provided a Notice of Allegations against the program.

Stadium’s Jeff Goodman reports that the NCAA’s Notice of Allegations included violations which were too severe to retain him through the investigation. Under NCAA rules, if Level 1 or Level 2 violations are found, the school can terminate without penalty.

The Tigers, projected to land a high seed in the 2022 NCAA Tournament, will be led by interim head coach Kevin Nickelberry in next week’s games following the decision.

Will Wade went 105-51 over five seasons as LSU, taking the job after two successful seasons at VCU. He made two NCAA Tournament appearances and was set to lead the Tigers to a third this season. However, his tenure did not come without controversy after a wiretap revealed his “strong-ass offer” to a recruit.

Wade replaced Johnny Jones, who only made one appearance in the NCAA Tournament during a five-year stretch and restores LSU on the court. However, with the investigation still looming and precedent set for the NCAA to unleash severe punishment, this could hurt the Tigers moving forward.

The Tigers received their Notice of Allegations from the NCAA regarding Wade earlier this week. The process is still a few months away from being resolved in a case that began all the way back in 2017, but the school felt a decision must come now.