The NCAA Tournament has reached the Sweet 16 on Thursday night. There are still plenty of games remaining to determine who will cut down the nets next month. Despite the Sweet 16 getting all the headlines this time of the season, there are plenty of coaching moves happening, and the ACC is at the center of it.
North Carolina and Hubert Davis parted ways after the Tar Heels were bounced in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last Thursday after blowing a double-digit lead to VCU. When the dust settled, it wasn't surprising that UNC made the decision. That came a week after Syracuse moved on from Adrian Autry after another disappointing season in New York.
With the coaching carousel cycle getting underway, another ACC coach is reportedly bolting his current school to return to his old stomping grounds.
NC State coach Will Wade reportedly leaving after one season in Raleigh to return to LSU
After North Carolina State was beaten by Texas in the First Four last week in Dayton, Will Wade looked frustrated and relieved that the season was over. It clearly was a frustrating one for him after coming over from McNeese. He promised changes after this season. If there are changes with the Wolfpack, it won't be on his watch.
On Thursday morning, Pete Nakos and Joe Tipton of On3 reported that Wade is expected to leave NC State return to LSU. While no announcement is expected soon, Nakos and Tipton are reporting that LSU is looking to hire McNeese athletic director Heath Schroyer, which would open the door for Wade to be reunited with him after one year. LSU is expected to part ways with its current coach, Matt McMahon, to pave the way to bring back Wade.
If this does end up happening, it'll open another big job in the ACC. NC State is behind UNC and Duke in the state of North Carolina, but ahead of Wake Forest. This job would not attract the same name power that UNC does, but it is an ACC job and a program looking to get back to the Final Four days from just a few years ago.