Why will Will Wade begin at McNeese under suspension? Understanding reason behind decision for newly hired coach

Will Wade was hired to coach McNeese State on Monday. But Wade will have to start the 2023-24 NCAA season away from the bench.

Wade will have to serve a five-game suspension at the beginning of next season. The former LSU coach signed a five-year contract with the Cowboys, but the school is handing him a five-game suspension to hedge against any NCAA punishment from Wade's time at LSU.

Wade was fired from LSU after allegations from the NCAA that listed five Level I violation accusations, as well as one Level II. Wade was accused of offering cash payments to at least 11 players.

The NCAA's investigation is ongoing, and final punishment is expected to be meted out in the upcoming months, the Lake Charles American Press reported.

Defending national champion Kansas handed Bill Self a four-game suspension heading into this season. Self was involved in a similar probe to the one involving Wade.

McNeese is taking a similar approach with Wade.

Will Wade suspended for first five games of 2023-24 season

After an ugly end to his tenure with the LSU Tigers, Will Wade is looking to get back on the right track with McNeese State. After allegations suggesting that Wade offered cash to numerous players, Wade was eventually relieved of his duties with the program just before the NCAA Tournament last season.

Now at McNeese State, Wade will have to walk a fine line to get out of the NCAA's investigative spotlight. The suspension was listed as a term in Wade's new contract with McNeese State. According to Matthew Travis of KPLC News, the suspension also prohibits him from off-campus "recruiting related activities through July 31."

Wade had an impressive rise up the collegiate coaching ranks. After becoming the head coach at Chattanooga in 2013, Wade led VCU from 2015-2017. From there, Wade was the man in charge at LSU from 2017-2022.

He has a career record of 196-96. Wade will now look to get McNeese State back to the NCAA Tournament, somewhere they haven't been since 2002.