LSU fires Will Wade, citing NCAA probe and 'shroud of negativity'

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LSU has fired men's basketball coach Will Wade for cause amid "serious" allegations of NCAA violations, the university announced Saturday in a joint statement from its president and athletic director.

The firing comes the day after LSU was bounced from the Southeastern Conference Tournament by Arkansas, 79-67, in a quarterfinal game on Friday night.

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"For more than four years, the University has patiently allowed the NCAA investigative process to unfold, jointly working with the NCAA Enforcement Staff and, subsequently, with the Complex Case Unit (CCU), to ensure the evidence collected was as thorough and fair as possible," said the statement signed by President William F. Tate and Athletic Director Scott Woodward. "Throughout that time, the University and its men’s basketball program have operated under an exhausting shroud of negativity."

The Complex Case Unit this past week issued LSU a formal notice of allegations, which "contains serious allegations, including multiple charges alleging Coach Wade’s personal involvement in — or awareness of — Level I misconduct," the LSU statement said. "We can no longer subject our University, Department of Athletics, and — most importantly — our student-athletes, to this taxing and already-lengthy process without taking action. Our responsibility to protect and promote the integrity and well-being of our entire institution and our student-athletes will always be paramount."

LSU head coach Will Wade walks along the bench in the first half an NCAA college basketball game against Alabama in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, March 5, 2022.  (AP Photo/Gerald