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College Basketball: Ranking the Top 10 coaching hires for 2017-18

By Daniel Benjamin

Mar 22, 2017; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers athletic director Joe Alleva introduces new basketball head coach Will Wade during a press conference at the LSU Student Union. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2017; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers athletic director Joe Alleva introduces new basketball head coach Will Wade during a press conference at the LSU Student Union. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 22, 2017; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Will Wade speaks during his introductory press conference at the LSU Student Union. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2017; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Will Wade speaks during his introductory press conference at the LSU Student Union. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Will Wade, LSU Tigers

Will Wade probably should be higher up on the list as a result of his success as a head coach and how young he is. While Wade is a very good young coach, he really did not accomplish as much at VCU as his predecessor — Shaka Smart — did.

Wade became LSU’s 24th head coach on March 24, replacing Johnny Jones. The Tigers went 10-21 last season, including just 2-16 in the SEC. Jones posted a 90-72 record in his five seasons with the Bayou Bengals, but only made two postseason appearances. LSU reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2014-15, marking their first “Big Dance” appearance since 2008-09.

Wade led VCU to the NCAA Tournament in each of his two seasons with the Rams. The 34-year old coach went 51-20 in his two campaigns, winning the 2016 regular season A-10 crown. He is 91-45 overall in four head coach seasons. Wade, who is 1-2 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, was at Chattanooga prior to leading VCU.

Wade has done a fantastic job with his first recruiting class at LSU. Since being named the Tigers’ coach, he has added four players to bring to the class. He also inherited two of Jones’ recruits.

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