LSU fires Matt McMahon, is finalizing agreement to rehire Will Wade

“This was not an easy decision,” Wade wrote in a social media post in which he thanked N. C. State for the opportunity to coach the Wolfpack.

“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. ” While LSU had yet to formally announce the coaching change, a person with knowledge of the development confirmed it to The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the official announcement still was pending. The topic of Wade’s potential return to LSU had been churning for weeks, enough so that Wade was ready with a response when asked about it after the Wolfpack’s loss to Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament. That included noting that the job at the time wasn’t open, with McMahon — the permanent successor after Wade’s ouster — still in place.

“I was hired at NC State to do a job. This wasn’t going to take one year,” Wade said, then motioned toward Wolfpack athletic director Boo Corrigan at the back of the news-conference room. “I’ve already met with our administration about next year and some of the changes that we need to make and some of the things that we need to do to put this program where it deserves long-term.