LSU fired Matt McMahon after four losing seasons and rehired Will Wade, the coach dismissed in 2022 amid an FBI scandal, in a shocking reversal driven by political maneuvering and a desperate quest for basketball relevance.
In a move that has sent shockwaves through college basketball, Louisiana State University has parted ways with men’s basketball head coach Matt McMahon and immediately rehired Will Wade, the coach it fired just four years ago amid a major NCAA scandal. The decision, announced Thursday, March 26, 2026, marks one of the most dramatic coaching reversals in recent memory and raises profound questions about the role of politics in LSU’s athletic department.
Wade’s return to Baton Rouge comes after a single season at NC State, where he went 20-14 but saw his team crumble late, losing eight of its final 10 games and falling to Texas in the First Four of the NCAA tournament. His hire is reportedly being driven by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, a figure who already inserted himself into LSU’s football coaching search last year when he played a key role in luring Lane Kiffin from Ole Miss.
McMahon’s dismissal leaves LSU on the hook for a buyout exceeding $8 million, with three seasons remaining on his contract, according to ESPN. The financial toll is just the latest chapter in a coaching saga that has seen LSU basketball spiral from NCAA tournament contender to SEC cellar dweller.
The Will Wade Saga: From Scandal to Redemption?
Wade’s first stint at LSU ended abruptly in March 2022 when the school fired him after the NCAA issued a notice of allegations stemming from the 2019 FBI investigation into college basketball corruption. Wiretaps caught Wade discussing a “strong-ass offer” for a recruit—a bombshell revelation at a time when players could not be paid. The scandal forced Wade out and led to a 10-game suspension at his next stop, McNeese State, along with a two-year show-cause penalty.
Despite the cloud, Wade rebuilt his reputation quickly. At McNeese, he led the Cowboys to NCAA tournament appearances in both of his seasons (2023-24 and 2024-25) before bolting for NC State. That success, combined with his prior familiarity with LSU’s boosters and the Baton Rouge community, made him an attractive—if risky—candidate for a return.
McMahon’s Losing Legacy
McMahon was hired in 2022 to replace Wade, but his four-season tenure delivered little besides disappointment. The Tigers went a combined 60-70 overall and a dismal 3-15 in SEC play this past season, finishing last in the conference. LSU’s only winning record under McMahon came in 2023-24 (17-16), and the team failed to reach the NCAA tournament in any of his four years.
LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry had publicly stated that McMahon would be re-evaluated if the team missed the tournament—a threshold the Tigers clearly didn’t come close to meeting. McMahon’s prior success at Murray State, where he earned Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year and led a 31-3 team to the NCAA tournament, could not overcome LSU’s downward trajectory.
The Governor’s Shadow: Politics Meets Picking Coaches
The most eyebrow-raising aspect of Wade’s return is the reported involvement of Governor Jeff Landry. Landry’s fingerprints were all over the hire of Lane Kiffin in football, a saga detailed in Yahoo Sports that chronicled a years-long feud and political maneuvering. Landry’s role in the basketball decision suggests a pattern of gubernatorial overreach into LSU athletics that could undermine institutional autonomy.
Adding to the intrigue, LSU’s new president, Wade Rousse, previously worked with Wade at McNeese State, where Wade had great success. Rousse was hired in November 2025 from McNeese, where he was president during Wade’s tenure. That relationship likely smoothed the path for Wade’s return, creating a perception of an insider job rather than a national search.
Wade himself acknowledged the complexity of his decision, saying in a statement: “Going back to LSU after one season at NC State was not an easy decision, because of how much respect and appreciation I have for this program and this university. But the opportunity to return to Louisiana State University is deeply personal. It’s a chance to go home—to a place that means a great deal to me and my family.”
Why This Matters: Rebuilding or Rehashing?
Wade’s return is a high-risk, high-reward gamble. On one hand, he proved he can win at the mid-major level and has deep ties to Louisiana. On the other, his NCAA baggage and the show-cause penalty loom large. With name, image, and likeness (NIL) money reshaping college basketball, Wade’s ability to navigate the new landscape—and the political one—will be tested immediately.
The involvement of Governor Jeff Landry sets a problematic precedent. When a governor inserts himself into coaching hires, it politicizes athletics and can lead to decisions based on personal relationships rather than program needs. LSU’s football program already endured a messy separation with former coach Ed Orgeron and the controversial hiring of Kiffin; now basketball is following a similar script.
For fans, the reaction is likely split. Some will celebrate the return of a coach who led LSU to the NCAA tournament in 2019 and who brings instant credibility. Others will question why a coach with a scandalous past and only one year at NC State is getting a second chance while McMahon, who at least maintained clean program integrity, is fired with a hefty buyout.
Wade’s Challenges Ahead
Returning to LSU, Will Wade faces a daunting to-do list:
- NCAA Shadow: The show-cause penalty and his past involvement in the FBI scandal will follow him, potentially hindering recruiting and inviting scrutiny.
- Roster Rebuild: The Tigers lack star power after a 15-17 season. Wade must quickly identify and land talent capable of competing in the SEC.
- Political Pressure: With Governor Landry’s involvement, basketball decisions may become entangled with political maneuvering, creating instability.
- NIL Landscape: Since Wade last coached at LSU, NIL has transformed roster building. He must adapt quickly to the new financial realities of college sports.
As for McMahon, he becomes a highly paid free agent with a proven track record at the mid-major level. He could land on his feet at another program desperate for a coach with NCAA tournament experience.
This saga underscores the volatility of LSU basketball. In less than four years, the program has gone from NCAA tournament participant to bottom-feeder and back to a coach with a checkered past. The only certainty? Expect more drama in Baton Rouge.
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