On March 22, 2025 NC State announced the hiring of Will Wade as its newest basketball coach. The transformation of the program since that time has been stunning. The national press has taken notice. Season tickets sales have increased dramatically. Fundraising, for multiple reasons including Coach Wade, is at an all-time high. There is more excitement about the future of the program than there has been since the halcyon days of the Valvano era.

The first official day of practice is today, Monday September 22.

Coach Wade has been thoughtful, logical, and professional in his approach, every step of the way.

New Coach 101: Introducing a new coach

“There’s going to be a reckoning for the ACC, and a reckoning for college basketball. And it’s coming. And it’s coming soon.” – Will Wade

New Coach 102: Building a coaching staff

“[Coach Howard] has an excellent tactical offensive mind and will do a great job on that side of the court for our team.“ – Will Wade

New Coach 103: Building an entire roster

“We’re only as good as the players. We’ve got everything we need to go and attract the best players in the country” – Will Wade

New Coach 104: Building the schedule

“Our time is right now” – Will Wade

New Coach 105: Time to talk about the team as a whole – updates from practice and ramp up to opening night

By the calendar, Will Wade is 42 years old, the fourth youngest coach in the ACC. Other than Herb Sendek, who was 33 when hired, he is the youngest Wolfpack coaching hire since Jim Valvano. However, he comes to NC State with 11 total years of head coaching experience at four universities. In the modern era of NC State basketball, since (and including) Everett Case, only Les Robinson (15 seasons) and Mark Gottfried (14) and Norm Sloan (13) have had more experience, and he ranks as tied with BC’s Earl Grant as the seventh most experienced current ACC head coach. He’s won a regular season championship at his last three schools. He’s been the Coach of the Year in two different conferences. In his 11 seasons, he’s taken seven different teams to the NCAA tournament and made it to the Sweet 16. His most losses were 15 in his very first season as a head coach (UT-Chattanooga), and 15 in his first season at LSU. NC State has lost 15 or more games in three of the last four seasons. [Upgrade? Yes!] And, as we all know, he’s had his low moments, but that lesson has been learned.

NC State is benefiting from all of that experience. The Wolfpack has a seasoned, mature coach despite his age. As he told us, “NC State is getting the best Will Wade.” T-shirt time!

WWIAW! Success will come. And watching this chapter of the ‘Will Wade Story’ is going to be a masterclass for all of you future coaches, and a lot of fun for the rest of us. In an interview while at McNeese State earlier this year he told columnist Aaron Torres that he, “hopes his next coaching position will last 10-15 years. ” Coach, we’re all on board with that!

“The Pack is back! And we’re not to be messed with”

— Will Wade