LSU has fired men’s basketball coach Matt McMahon after a disappointing 60-70 record over four seasons, triggering an $8.02 million buyout and clearing the path for the potential return of former coach Will Wade.
LSU has relieved Matt McMahon of his duties as head coach of the men’s basketball program, a decision first reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel. The firing comes after just four seasons in Baton Rouge, where McMahon failed to achieve sustained success in the competitive SEC.
Why LSU Fired Matt McMahon: A Record of Underachievement
McMahon, hired away from Murray State in 2022 with a reputation as an up-and-coming offensive mind, never translated his mid-major success to the SEC. His teams consistently struggled against conference opponents, finishing in the bottom half of the league standings in three of his four seasons. The Tigers never posted a winning record in SEC play and failed to reach the NCAA Tournament, missing out on the sport’s biggest stage entirely during his tenure.
This past season was the final straw: LSU went 15-17 overall and a cellar-dwelling 3-15 in SEC play, earning the No. 16 seed in the conference tournament. The lack of progress, particularly in a league where resources demand immediate contention, made McMahon’s departure inevitable.
The Financial Sting: An $8.02 Million Buyout
LSU will pay a substantial sum to change coaches. Contract documents obtained by the USA TODAY Network confirm that McMahon is owed $8.02 million if terminated without cause by April 1. This buyout clause represents a significant financial hit for the athletic department, underscoring the high cost of coaching missteps in modern college athletics.
Matt McMahon’s LSU Record: A Year-by-Year Breakdown
McMahon’s four-season run produced mixed results at best, with only one winning overall record and no meaningful impact in the SEC:
- 2022-23: 14-19 overall
- 2023-24: 17-16 overall (the program’s lone winning season under McMahon)
- 2024-25: 14-18 overall
- 2025-26: 15-17 overall
The consistency of sub-.500 performances, especially in conference play, directly led to LSU’s decision to move on.
The Will Wade Factor: LSU Eyes a Full-Circle Return
McMahon’s firing is widely seen as a precursor to the return of Will Wade, who previously coached at LSU from 2017 to 2022. Wade left Baton Rouge with a 105-51 record, five NCAA Tournament appearances, and a reputation as one of the nation’s most efficient coaches. After sitting out the 2022-23 season, he revitalized his career at McNeese State before leading NC State to a 20-14 mark this past year.
The pivotal development was LSU’s hire of McNeese State athletic director Heath Schroyer as a senior administrator overseeing men’s basketball. Schroyer, who brought Wade to McNeese, is considered a key architect in facilitating Wade’s return. Sports Yahoo reports that Wade is expected to sign a seven-year contract with LSU, signaling a long-term commitment to restoring the program’s glory.
Why This Matters for LSU and the SEC
This coaching shift sends shockwaves through the SEC. LSU, a program with national championship expectations, has been mired in mediocrity since Wade’s departure. Re-hiring him represents a bold gamble on familiarity and past success, but also reignites controversy from his initial exit. For fans, the move is a pendulum swing from frustration to cautious hope—Wade’s proven ability to win in the SEC contrasts sharply with McMahon’s futility.
The $8.02 million payout is a stark reminder of the financial stakes in college basketball. LSU is betting that Wade’s return will quickly offset this cost with renewed competitiveness, ticket sales, and tournament revenue. In a league where coaching changes are frequent, the Tigers are doubling down on a known quantity to climb back into the upper echelon.
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