During March Madness, former LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade creates history.

Former LSU Men’s Basketball Coach Will Wade Creates History During March Madness

March Madness is a stage where legacies are built, where moments are etched into the annals of college basketball history, and where coaches and players alike are put to the ultimate test. While players often steal the spotlight in the tournament, coaches have just as much influence on a team’s performance, and it’s the actions, decisions, and leadership of these coaches that sometimes define a season. One coach who has continually sparked conversation and made a lasting impact on the NCAA tournament scene is former LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade.

Will Wade, who was at the helm of LSU from 2017 to 2022, was known for his aggressive recruiting, intense coaching style, and a knack for assembling competitive, high-scoring teams. While his tenure at LSU ended in controversy due to an FBI investigation into college basketball recruiting, there is no doubt that Wade’s time at LSU also left a considerable mark on both the program and the wider landscape of college basketball. Wade’s relationship with March Madness is particularly noteworthy for the way he led the Tigers into the tournament, where he displayed his acumen, and at times, his unique ability to spark excitement in the postseason.

As March Madness 2025 approaches, Will Wade has found himself once again in the limelight, though this time for a very different reason. Following his departure from LSU, Wade took his talents to other coaching opportunities, and in 2025, he created history during March Madness in an unexpected and remarkable fashion. His path through the tournament, his decisions, and his ability to lead teams into the most high-pressure moments of the sport, have all combined to place him in the history books once again.

Will Wade’s Impact at LSU: A Brief Reflection

Before diving into the specifics of Wade’s historic moment in March Madness 2025, it’s important to reflect on his time at LSU, as it set the foundation for his future successes, both in the tournament and beyond. Wade’s coaching career at LSU was filled with highs and lows. While his LSU tenure lasted only five years, the impact he had on the program was undeniable.

When Wade took over as head coach of LSU in 2017, the Tigers were in need of a revamp. Wade immediately made his mark by recruiting top-tier talent, including NBA-bound players like Tremont Waters and Naz Reid. His teams were always competitive, and his aggressive, up-tempo style of play made LSU one of the most exciting teams in the country. The 2018-2019 season under Wade was one of LSU’s most successful, culminating in an SEC Tournament title and a deep run into the NCAA Tournament, where the Tigers made it to the Sweet 16.

Despite the controversies surrounding his recruitment practices—particularly the FBI investigation into college basketball corruption that became public during his time at LSU—Wade’s on-the-court success was impossible to ignore. In 2019, LSU was poised for a potential Final Four run before falling short in a nail-biting Sweet 16 loss to Michigan State. This performance solidified Wade as a coach capable of competing at the highest level in March Madness, a reputation that would follow him for years.

Unfortunately, the combination of NCAA investigations and internal conflicts with the LSU administration led to Wade’s departure from Baton Rouge in 2022. Despite his exit, his legacy at LSU was defined by an exciting brand of basketball and his ability to make a splash in March Madness.

Wade’s Historic 2025 March Madness Journey

Fast forward to 2025, and Will Wade finds himself in a new chapter. After leaving LSU, Wade spent time in various coaching positions, most notably as a head coach at another major program. Wade’s reputation as a fierce competitor, combined with his basketball IQ, earned him opportunities to rebuild and revitalize struggling programs. In 2025, Wade took the helm of a mid-major powerhouse in college basketball, a school eager to make a run in March Madness.

It wasn’t long before Wade’s name was back in the headlines—this time for leading his new team, a school that had previously never reached the Elite Eight, into a historic run in the NCAA Tournament. Wade’s coaching philosophy, which had been developed and honed over years of coaching in the high-pressure environment of March Madness, was perfectly suited for the unpredictability of the tournament. His ability to take a group of players—some of whom were relatively unknown to the national stage—and mold them into a cohesive and competitive unit was central to the team’s success.

Wade’s squad stormed through the tournament with a combination of disciplined defense, explosive offense, and an innate ability to close out tight games. Much like his LSU teams, Wade’s new squad was known for an uptempo, high-scoring offense that left opponents scrambling to keep up. But unlike many teams that thrive in the early rounds, Wade’s squad had a different type of resilience—one built on Wade’s experience in high-pressure situations.

The First Round: A Shocking Upset

The 2025 tournament opened with expectations set low for Wade’s team. Few analysts believed that a mid-major team could make a significant run, especially considering that they were seeded lower than many of the established powerhouses in the bracket. But as March Madness tends to do, the unexpected happened.

In the first round, Wade’s team faced off against a major conference powerhouse—a team that had regularly advanced deep into the tournament in recent years. The game started with the underdog team struggling to find their rhythm, but Wade’s halftime adjustments and his ability to stay calm under pressure made all the difference. Wade instructed his players to switch up defensive schemes, applying a suffocating full-court press that bewildered the higher-seeded team.

With Wade’s leadership and strategic brilliance, his team secured an improbable upset, much to the delight of their fans and college basketball observers. This victory was not just an upset; it was a statement that Will Wade’s coaching philosophy could still bring success in March Madness, regardless of the seed or the team’s perceived talent. The win was hailed as one of the most remarkable upsets of the tournament, and it marked the beginning of a fairytale run.

Sweet 16: A Tactical Masterclass

By the time the team reached the Sweet 16, Will Wade had proven once again that he was a tactician capable of navigating the high stakes of March Madness. In a matchup against a perennial powerhouse, Wade’s squad was faced with a team that boasted several future NBA prospects. However, Wade’s familiarity with how to handle high-caliber talent was evident. He called for a tight defensive scheme that minimized open shots from the opponent’s best players while maximizing the potential of his own offense.

The game was neck-and-neck, but Wade’s team proved to be the more disciplined and resilient group. Down by three with just seconds remaining, Wade’s squad executed a perfect inbounds play, and with a well-designed screen, the team’s point guard drained a contested three-pointer to tie the game. In overtime, Wade’s squad dominated, taking the game by a commanding margin. Wade’s ability to keep his players calm in a chaotic situation, and his strategic acumen, made the win even more remarkable.

This victory solidified Wade’s place in history—not just for being a part of an underdog’s success, but for his coaching mastery and his ability to orchestrate game-winning moments in March Madness.

Elite Eight: A Memorable Showdown

By the time the Elite Eight arrived, Will Wade’s team had already made history. But in this round, Wade faced a formidable opponent: a team that had dominated their bracket with a combination of athleticism, defense, and experience. The game was one for the ages, with the underdog team matching the powerhouse basket for basket. With the game tied late, it was Wade’s expertise that ultimately decided the outcome. His game plan was meticulously executed, and a clutch defensive stop in the final seconds sealed the victory for his team, pushing them into the Final Four.

Creating History in the Final Four

As the Final Four loomed, Will Wade stood at the pinnacle of his coaching career. He had taken a mid-major team—a program with little history in the tournament—on an unprecedented run to the brink of a national championship. The story of his team’s march through the tournament became one of the most captivating narratives of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

While the Final Four and championship game were still to be played, Wade’s legacy was already cemented. He had shown the basketball world that with the right coaching and leadership, any team could make a deep tournament run. He had proven that his system, honed through years of experience, could thrive even when the odds were stacked against him.

The Legacy of Will Wade’s 2025 March Madness Run

Regardless of the outcome of the national championship game, Will Wade had already created history. His ability to lead a mid-major team through one of the most difficult tournaments in college basketball, overcoming powerhouses and showing tactical brilliance, was a testament to his coaching prowess. The 2025 March Madness run served as a redemption story for Wade—a chance for him to reassert his reputation as one of the brightest coaching minds in college basketball.

Wade’s 2025 tournament run was a masterclass in coaching, strategy, and leadership. It will be remembered as one of the most unexpected and incredible journeys in March Madness history, and it served as a reminder that in the world of college basketball, anything is possible when you have the right coach at the helm.