Sat Mar 08 23:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Indiana University Seeks New Basketball Coach; Will Wade Emerges as Contender
**BLOOMINGTON, IN** – With Indiana University men’s basketball coach Mike Woodson announcing his retirement after the 2024-25 season, Athletic Director Scott Dolson has begun the search for his replacement. Among the many candidates under consideration is McNeese State’s Will Wade, a coach with a proven track record but a controversial past.
Wade, 42, boasts an impressive 241-104 overall record across his coaching career at Chattanooga, VCU, LSU, and currently McNeese State. He has led his teams to six NCAA tournament appearances in ten seasons. However, his career has been marred by significant recruiting violations during his tenure at LSU.
In March 2022, Wade was fired from LSU following a series of allegations involving impermissible payments to recruits and their families. These allegations, dating back to 2017, resulted in a Notice of Allegations and ultimately his dismissal just days before the NCAA tournament. The NCAA imposed a 10-game suspension and a two-year show-cause penalty, restricting his recruiting activities.
Despite the sanctions, Wade quickly rebounded, leading McNeese State to its first NCAA tournament appearance in 22 years in the 2022-23 season, winning both the Southland Conference regular season and tournament titles and earning Southland Conference Coach of the Year. McNeese currently sits at 25-6 and is poised for another tournament appearance.
While Wade’s coaching acumen is undeniable, his history of NCAA violations presents a significant hurdle for potential suitors. Indiana University, mindful of its past experience with recruiting violations under former coach Kelvin Sampson, may be hesitant to hire a coach with such a checkered history. Wade’s show-cause penalty extends until June 21, 2025, further complicating his candidacy. The university is expected to prioritize a candidate with a cleaner record, potentially leading them to pass on Wade, at least for now.
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