How much is Will Wade going to make at NC State? Full contract details, bonuses and more

NC State coach Will Wade was formally introduced as the Pack’s next leader on March 25. The details of the six-year deal were released to TheWolfpacker.com, via a Freedom of Information Act Request, on Friday.

Wade, who made $700,000 at McNeese this past season, will earn $2.5 million in total compensation during his first season with the Wolfpack, while that will increase to $2.65 million in the second year, $2.8 million in the third, $2.95 million in the fourth, $3.1 million in the fifth and $3.25 million in the sixth.

Wade’s contract was loaded more on his annual salary, rather than his supplemental compensation. Here’s the year-by-year breakdown:

Annual salary

Contract Year	Annual Salary
1	$2,084,375 (annualized, paid prorated from effective date through March 31, 2026)
2	$2,138,750
3	$2,193,125
4	$2,247,500
5	$2,301,875
6	$2,356,250

Supplemental compensation

Contract Year	Supplemental compensation
1	$415,625 (annualized, paid prorated from effective date through March 31, 2026)
2	$511,250
3	$606,875
4	$702,500
5	$798,125
6	$893,750

Bonuses

In addition to his base and supplemental compensation, Wade can make up to $1.7 million in bonuses through the Wolfpack’s on-court achievements, which are not cumulative.

If NC State wins 10 conference or 18 regular season games, he will earn a $37,500 bonus. It increases to $75,000 with 12 ACC wins or 20 regular season victories, while it escalates to $112,500 with 14 conference victories or 22 regular season wins. It maxes out at $150,000 for 16 ACC wins or 24 regular season games.

Wade is also in line to make $100,000 for an ACC regular season title and an additional $100,000 for an ACC Tournament championship. Unlike Kevin Keatts’ contract, Wade does not receive an automatic two-year extension for winning the conference tournament title.

Since the ACC Tournament has a cutoff with the bottom three teams in the league standings missing the event, Wade would be in line for a $5,000 bonus for making the field. He could earn $10,000 for a second round appearance, $25,000 for a trip to the league quarterfinal, $50,000 with a semifinal appearance and $75,000 for playing in the ACC Championship game.

Should NC State make the NCAA Tournament under Wade, he would make $50,000 for a First Four appearance, $75,000 in the Round of 64, $125,000 in the Round of 32, $250,000 in the Sweet 16, $375,000 in the Elite Eight, $500,000 in the Final Four, a $750,000 bonus for making the title game and a $1 million bonus winning a national championship.

If the Pack finishes in the Top 25 of either the Associated Press or USA Today Coaches Polls, Wade would be due a $50,000 bonus. If the team is inside the top 10 in either poll, that bonus doubles to $100,000. In addition, Wade would earn $50,000 for being named the ACC Coach of the Year and $100,000 for winning the National Coach of the Year by either ESPN, USA Today, the AP, Sports Illustrated or the Atlanta Tipoff Club.

Academically, Wade can earn up to $300,000 in bonuses through his team’s standing in the federal graduation rate, the graduation success rate and the academic progress rate.

Buyout

NC State will pay the $1 million buyout owed to McNeese for hiring Wade with time left on his contract with the Cowboys.

If Wade were to leave NC State with time left on his contract he would owe the university the following:

On or before April 1, 2026: $5 million
On or before April 1, 2027: $3 million
On or before April 1, 2028: $2 million
On or before April 1, 2029: $1 million
On or before April 1, 2030: $1 million

In addition, if Wade were to be fired for convenience by NC State, he would be owed his annual salary multiplied by the number of years remaining on his contract.

Other details

Wade will receive two courtesy cars for the duration of his tenure at NC State or he may receive an automobile allowance of $7,500 per vehicle. He will also get 12 suite tickets at the Lenovo Center for all NC State men’s basketball games, 10 tickets to the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament, the reimbursement of the face value for six Final Four tickets and eight tickets at the Dail Club Level for NC State football games at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Assistant coaches

NC State has currently signed three assistant coaches with a general manager and assistant general manager as Wade fills out his staff. Here’s how much they’ll make with the Wolfpack:

General Manager and Chief Strategist Andrew Slater: $400,000/year for two years
Assistant Adam Howard: $350,000/year for two years
Assistant Brandon Chambers: $250,000/year for two years
Assistant Vernon Hamilton: $250,000/year for two years
Assistant General Manager Patrick Stacy: $85,000