New McNeese State coach Will Wade has been suspended five games and is not allowed to recruit off campus until August, per the terms of his new contract.
Louisiana’s KPLC received Wade’s contract Tuesday, revealing his suspension and hiring restrictions.
McNeese’s decision to suspend Wade for the first five games of next season is likely an attempt to mitigate NCAA sanctions stemming from Wade’s time at LSU.
LSU fired Wade on the eve of the NCAA tournament just over a year ago after the school received a notice of complaint from the NCAA detailing five Level I violations and one Level II violation involving Wade. He was fired shortly before the 2019 NCAA Tournament after reports surfaced that a federal wiretap caught him discussing a recruiting offer.
According to documents obtained by ESPN in August 2020, the NCAA’s enforcement staff received information that Wade “arranged, offered and/or made cash payments, including cash payments, to at least 11 prospective men’s basketball student-athletes, their family members, individuals.” or paid unauthorized payments. Affiliated with prospects and/or nonscholastic coaches in exchange for the prospect’s enrollment at LSU.”
The case is being adjudicated through the independent accountability resolution process, and LSU and Wade are still awaiting a ruling.
Wade’s contract at McNeese is worth $1.175 million over five years, not including bonuses.
According to the contract obtained by KPLC, Wade will also be severely restricted in his first offseason in leadership recruiting. In addition to the lack of off-campus recruiting until August — which covers the crucial April and July live evaluation periods — Wade also has limits on how many recruits can be recruited on official visits and is prohibited from recruiting conversations and hosting unofficial visits for six weeks through September. 1 to 15 October.
Wade was at LSU for five seasons, guiding the Tigers to the 2019 SEC title and three NCAA Tournament appearances to end his tenure.