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Report: Will Wade set to become next coach at LSU

By Brad Berreman

Nov 29, 2016; Richmond, VA, USA; Virginia Commonwealth Rams head coach Will Wade gestures from the bench against the Princeton Tigers in the second half at Stuart Siegel Center. The Rams won 81-70. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2016; Richmond, VA, USA; Virginia Commonwealth Rams head coach Will Wade gestures from the bench against the Princeton Tigers in the second half at Stuart Siegel Center. The Rams won 81-70. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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After firing Johnny Jones, LSU has settled on Will Wade as their next men’s basketball coach.

Johnny Jones had a 90-72 record over five seasons as coach at LSU, but a 10-21 mark this season (2-16 in the SEC) led to his firing. Some big names have become available since Jones was relieved of his duties, with former Indiana coach Tom Crean reportedly contacted via a third party by LSU.

VCU coach Will Wade was also contacted by LSU around the same time, and on Monday night the school made a decision.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, Wade is set to be come the next coach at LSU and he has reportedly agreed to a six-year contract.

Wade took over as head coach at VCU when Shaka Smart left for Texas, and he had a 51-20 record over those two seasons with an NCAA Tournament bid in both campaigns. A first round loss to Saint Mary’s this year made Wade available to LSU, or any other bigger job fairly early.

Wade served as an assistant at VCU under Smart from 2009-2013, before leaving to become head coach at Chattanooga for two seasons. The Mocs had a 40-25 record Wade, and he was named Southern Conference Coach of the Year in 2014, after his first season. Wade started his coaching career as a grad assistant at Clemson in 2005, with some time as an assistant at Harvard before landing at VCU.

Smart built his reputation on a stifling “Havoc” defense, and Wade will now bring that with him to the SEC. It’s easy to see some similarities between VCU’s defensive system and Nolan Richardson’s “40 Minutes of Hell” when his Arkansas Razorbacks’ squads were really good 20-25 years ago. LSU will be hoping for something similar now, with the 34-year old Wade leading the way.

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Jones had a very young team at LSU this year, so it’s easy to see the Tiger rebounding back toward the top of the SEC next season. Wade has a strong early track record as a head coach, and time will tell if a step up to a bigger job will bring similar results.