NEW YORK– It took longer than expected, but LSU finally did the right thing and fired head basketball coach Will Wade after the NCAA sent a notice of allegations to the school.
The move came after Arkansas knocked the Tigers out of the SEC tournament quarterfinals.
Kevin Nickleberry will serve as interim coach while the school conducts a search for a new coach.
Wade’s dismissal came in the wake of two other firings within the league– Cuonzo Martin of Missouri and Tom Crean of Georgia.
Wade, 39, hung on at LSU for several years despite the school being caught up in the FBI investigation into bribery and corruption in college sports. Wade and Arizona coach Sean Miller, who was also dismissed, were both subpoenaed in the FBA trial but never took the stand.
In taped calls heard on the HBO documentary Wade discussed with Christian Dawkins, a want to be agent, in colorful language the recruitment of prospects Naz Reid, Nassir Little, and Javonte Smart
“I went to him with a strong ass offer,” Wade said of his recruitment of Smart. “Expletive strong. It was a helluva bleeping offer.”
Dawkins said Wade was talking 100 percent about money,” adding “Will Wade is definitely a gangster for what he did.”
After Wade’s comments became public in 2019, LSU suspended Wade indefinitely. Wade was reinstated after the season. As part of his reinstatement, Wade had to sign contract concessions, which allowed LSU to fire him with cause for Level 1 or 2 violations.
Wade went 105-51 in five seasons at LSU. Wade has refused to comment after the notice came out.
