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Why hiring Will Wade would (and wouldn’t) make sense for NC State

image_6483441 (3)by:Noah Fleischman•about 16 hours•

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Will Wade
Mar 21, 2024; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; McNeese State Cowboys head coach Will Wade during the second half in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Vivint Smart Home Arena-Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

NC State has zeroed its coaching search on two candidates, McNeese coach Will Wade and Tennessee associate head coach Justin Gainey in recent days. The Wolfpack has prioritized Wade as its top contender, while Gainey appears to be the program’s backup option at this point of the process.  Wade, who has made seven trips to the NCAA Tournament in his 11 seasons as a Division I head coach, has the chops to lead NC State and appears to have the support of the Wolfpack’s fan base going into the offseason. Bringing in the 42-year-old coach would be viewed as a home run hire for the Pack, both around Raleigh and on the national landscape.  Here’s a look at why his hiring would make sense (and why it wouldn’t).