It took way too long to oust Will Wade from his place atop LSU men's basketball, but the deserved guillotine finally made its chop on Saturday afternoon, a major moment in the 4-year-plus NCAA investigation into wrongdoing surrounding his time in Baton Rouge. Wade was fired with cause, which means he doesn't owe any money to the university. The federal investigation into college basketball overshadowed Wade's tenure after he took the helm in March of last year. Wade's future at LSU came into focus again this week as the NCAA sent the school notice of allegations surrounding the program. For the second time in his career, Wade won the NCAA Tournament with a team he led to March Madness. He was suspended for LSU's final five games of the season after it was revealed that a federal wiretap caught him making a strong-ass offer to a recruit. There are eight Level I violations against LSU, the most severe of which is tied to the men's basketball program. Wade is accused of six violations, five Level I and a Level II. Wade arranged for, offered, and/or provided impermissible payments, including cash payments, to at least 11 men who were basketball prospective student-athletes, their family members, individuals associated with the prospects and/or nonscholastic coaches. It was a bad day. That is a level of impermeability. Wade did wrong by following NCAA rules and everything he promised not to do as a coach. He couldn't coach at the school any more. It was easy to choose once someone inside the NCAA knew the extent of the damage. The harm is not over. It will take months to sort these allegations. Three individuals were sentenced to prison time for their part in the federal investigation into the sport. How can Wade have a future in college basketball? He may have lost $50 million in contract money because of his mistakes.
LSU athletic director Scott Woodward has built his reputation breaking the bank with his coaching hires to bring in a proven winner, no matter the financial cost. He traded Kim Mulkey for Brian Kelly from Notre Dame. The allegations that will likely bring severe punishments for the program puts a damper on that strategy. What big name college- basketball coach would leave for a school that can't play in the NCAA Tournament?
With the Big 12's uncertain future, it would be a good idea to point to Scott Drew as a national-championship-winning coach. Texas A&M head coach Buzz Williams, who led the Aggies from the bubble to the NCAA Tournament during this week's SEC Tournament, might be Woodward's last hire. Money could bring attractive mid-major coaches to LSU, as most will see a significant pay raise. Porter Moser left a great situation at Loyola Chicago for Oklahoma, and Wade left an ideal situation at Virginia Commonwealth for LSU.
The number of high-level conference jobs opening in college basketball is complicating Woodward's search. LSU is not a better job than Louisville and Maryland are. Georgia is likely to hire an assistant coach or a mid-major coach in the SEC. The contrast between LSU and Missouri is stark. Murray State has a rich basketball history, but having lower expectations and being the savior from the 21st century, could be a great gig for the Racers. Missouri has never been to a Final Four and hasn't won an NCAA Tournament game in a decade. LSU won a lot with Wade in charge, with him going over 100 victories.
LSU could still make a run in the NCAA Tournament with assistant Kevin Nickelberry serving as interim coach. It is better for the sport if scumbags like Wade and Sean Miller are out of it. This is a huge stand for college basketball that cheating shouldn't be allowed anymore. Wade will most likely find another college job soon. Art Briles did not do well on the gridiron. If that does happen, let's hope Wade's strong-ass offer is not too big of a distraction.
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