The LSU Tigers shock the college basketball world, bringing back Will Wade on a massive seven-year deal after a tumultuous departure.
After a crazy day of rumors on Wednesday, the LSU Tigers have now brought back Will Wade as head basketball coach on a seven-year deal, per Jeff Goodman, first and confirmed by several others.
This marks one of the craziest reunions in both Baton Rouge and college basketball history, as it was just four years ago that Wade was fired after an investigation found some monetary recruiting violations.
Had that investigation never happened, Wade would likely never have left in the first place. He was an incredibly popular coach during his first term at LSU. The personality, intensity and growth shown by the program had Tigers fans ready to sign a lifetime contract.
Instead, the school had to terminate Wade and turn to Matt McMahon, who was an exciting hire and seemingly a great guy, but he had a terrible run of luck at LSU, and ended up with a 60-70 record and will now be let go in order to bring Wade back.
In five years as the Tigers' head coach the first time, Wade went 105-51 and made the NCAA tournament three times in a row, getting as far as the Sweet 16. LSU has not made it back to the dance since then.
Overall, as a head coach, the only times since 2015 that he has missed the tournament were the first year with the Tigers and this past year, when he lost to the Texas Longhorns as the NC State Wolfpack coach in the First Four.
The Wolfpack will not be happy with this turn of events, as they wanted to keep Wade around for the long haul, as he is viewed as one of the sport's best young coaches. Instead, LSU swoops in and takes him back.