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Will Wade outlines next steps for McNeese after pending NC State departure: 'We're not dumb'

by:Alex Byington•03/23/25•

_AlexByington

Will Wade
Mar 19, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; McNeese State Cowboys head coach Will Wade answers questions during the first round practice session press conference at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Will Wade‘s days leading McNeese State are numbered — in the single-digits — after the Cowboys lost to fourth-seeded Purdue, 76-62, in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament on Saturday.

Wade has reportedly already signed a six-year contract to become NC State‘s next head coach, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, and an official announcement could come in days. But in the meantime, Wade wants to keep the focus on McNeese State rather than what’s next for himself.

“I’ll worry about that tomorrow. Look, I’m an honest guy, but today I want to put a bow on everything at McNeese, if we can. That’ll be up to whatever else happens. But right now I want to worry about McNeese,” Wade said Saturday in a postgame press conference. “This is about our players at McNeese right now. We’re not flying back until (Sunday) morning, so we’ll enjoy this here and then when we get back, we’ll figure out next steps.”

“But I do want to say, whatever happens, our program at McNeese is in great shape. We have tremendous leadership. We’re not dumb,” Wade continued. “We have a plan to keep this program rolling, whoever is at the helm. And this program is going to keep moving in the right direction, this program is going to keep winning. I really believe we’re just getting started.”

Wade transformed McNeese State in just two seasons, compiling a 50-9 overall record and going 36-2 in the Southland Conference while making back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances as the league champion. It was quite the reclamation project for Wade, who was fired at LSU in 2022 following an investigation into alleged recruiting violations despite going 105-51 overall and 55-33 in the SEC over five seasons in Baton Rouge.

Amir Khan likely to join Will Wade at NC State with potential upgraded duties

McNeese State team manager Amir Khan has become the star of March Madness. He may have been the biggest story surrounding the program entering the Round of 32, all except for the future of head coach Will Wade. Khan may be on the move too, potentially following Wade to his next destination.

CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander reports Khan could go to NC State with Wade and could even see his responsibilities inside the program grow. Khan is currently the Cowboys’ team manager but could receive a promotion to the basketball staff as a graduate assistant for the Wolfpack.

“Amir Khan, the student manager that has gotten massively famous over the course of the last few days, I spoke with him afterward,” Norlander said. “It sounds like he’s going to follow Will Wade to NC State and be a graduate assistant. Additional roles and responsibilities to be determined.”

Khan has become a star of the NIL world in recent days. Reports have indicated he has made over six figures with companies like Insomnia Cookies and Buffalo Wild Wings getting involved. Topps even gave Khan his own trading card.

“He wants to continue his education and be a part of a basketball program at the college level,” Norlander said. “So, we will see more of him, we have not seen the last of him… Seems like NC State is the more likely destination for him.”

— On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.