Paul Finebaum: Will Wade will never coach another college basketball game
LSU parted ways with head basketball coach Will Wade just days after the NCAA provided a Notice of Allegations against the program, and ESPN college analyst Paul Finebaum thinks that this could be the end for Wade at the college ranks.
Perhaps it’s understandable, given the depth of Wade’s violations. As a result, LSU may suffer from Wade’s infractions for several years to come. As it stands, it appears as though there at least eight total Level 1 violation allegations against LSU. Such a large failure to comply with NCAA rules could result in a postseason ban, loss of scholarships, or more. Finebaum believes that this should be the end of the road for his coaching career, despite Wade being just 39 years old.
“These are allegations, but they couldn’t be more serious,” Finebaum said. “When you throw around lack of institutional control, you throw around Level I violations — accusations of Level I — you’re talking about a real problem in an athletic department. Now, it goes way back. But to me, LSU has played the long game in this and they lost. They were hoping that somehow, they would be able to fade the heat and look the other way, and I think they were caught. As soon as they saw these allegations and as soon as Will Wade got home from the tournament, he was fired. He should’ve been fired before the tournament, quite frankly. I wouldn’t have let this guy coach another game once these allegations came in. They’ve got a lot to answer for. Nobody looks good down there. Three years ago, the conversation around Will Wade was all over, and LSU fans continued to defend him because he was a good basketball coach. He is a very good basketball coach, who I believe will not ever coach another game in college basketball based on these allegations.”
Interim LSU coach Kevin Nickelberry comments on Will Wade dismissal, state of Tigers program
After the NCAA provided a Notice of Allegations against the LSU basketball program, the Tigers decided to part ways with head coach Will Wade. The violations included in the report were substantial enough to prompt LSU to fire Wade just one day before Selection Sunday. Assistant Bill Armstrong was also fired by the Tigers. Kevin Nickelberry is LSU’s interim head coach, and he is tasked with leading the Tigers through the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
LSU is in the Midwest Region of the bracket, and face off against Iowa State in the Round of 64 in Milwaukee. A lot has happened over the past couple of days, but Nickelberry is ready to get LSU ready to play postseason basketball.
“Obviously this time a couple days ago, I didn’t think I was gonna be sitting here,” Nickelberry said in his first comments since becoming LSU’s interim head coach. “But in life, it’s a lot of things going on in the world right now. A lot of adversity in the world. So this is a tough situation for everybody. But right now, I’m charged with the responsibility of getting these young men focused for the task at hand, which is the NCAA Tournament on Friday.
“I feel confident that this staff can lead these young men to, even in these challenging times, can lead them to where they want to be. They’ve had a great year. These guys have earned the right to be here. Darius Days has had an unbelievable career. This is his third straight NCAA Tournament, would have been four if not for COVID. So he’s done an unbelievable job of being the leader this year. He’s earned the right with the other guys.