9. Will Wade (LSU)
Before last season, LSU had been in a long stretch of mediocrity, even though the Tigers were a Final Four team back in 2006. Wade’s arrival seemed to jumpstart the program, even if serious infractions may have followed him in Baton Rouge. Last year was a great step forward for Wade and the Tigers, but is it just the beginning?
Wade began his career as a student manager and graduate assistant with Clemson. He got his first assistant coaching position at Harvard under Tommy Amaker before being snatched away by Shaka Smart and VCU. He helped build the Rams squad that shocked the nation and made the Final Four in 2011. By 2013, he grabbed his first head coaching position at Chattanooga. He spent just two years before VCU brought him back to replace Smart. His team played great ball in those four seasons, attracting LSU’s attention.
Wade became LSU’s head coach in 2017. He led the program to an NIT appearance in year one and built the team that made the Sweet Sixteen last season. The jury is still out on Wade’s involvement in illicit activities, though the LSU program he built played some impressive ball. Interim coach Tony Benford led this team to the NCAA Tournament, though Wade will return for his third season in Baton Rouge regardless.
While opinions will differ, it’s hard to deny that Wade built an impressive team in just two seasons in Baton Rouge. He achieved success at Chattanooga and VCU and has shown his worth as a head coach. Unfortunately, the cloud of this FBI probe dampers the outlook on Wade. If he keeps this program clean, then he can lead the LSU towards another promising era, even in a very talented league.