Will Wade 'paid' for misdeeds, 'thankful' for NC State job - ESPN

RALEIGH, N.C. — Will Wade stood on stage, hearing the applause from supporters enthralled with his vision of turning the tradition-rich NC State men's basketball program back into a consistent Atlantic Coast Conference winner.

The appreciation was mutual. Three years had passed since Wade's firing at LSU over allegations of money-fueled recruiting violations, which came amid a federal corruption investigation into the sport that had coincidentally entangled NC State among multiple programs nationally.

Now, he's back in a power-conference job, this time in a very different college landscape.

«I'd be lying if I told you I thought three years ago that I knew an opportunity like this would come again,» Wade said Tuesday. «I did not, I did not. I'm thankful.»

There's never been any questioning the coaching chops of the 42-year-old Wade, who became the Chattanooga Moccasins' head coach at 30 and totaled seven NCAA tournament bids in stops at VCU, LSU and McNeese. His ouster at LSU, however, offered baggage that made him a pariah as he sat out of coaching for a year, then served a 10-game NCAA suspension to start his McNeese tenure.

In that regard, there were two elements that stood out Tuesday for Wade, who wore a gray suit and a red-and-white striped tie to go with a Wolfpack lapel pin. There was still brash confidence and the promise of next-year success.

There were also offerings of humility and contrition. He thanked McNeese for taking «a chance» on him. He promised a passionate approach here «without all the arrogance that got me in trouble,» adding NC State would «get the best version of me.»

During a later interview with The Associated Press, Wade also refused to use today's changed climate in the sport — with the