McNeese State's Will Wade Has Perfect Line About Prepping to Play Alma Mater Clemson

The Tigers' ex-student manager looked back before Thursday's matchup.

Will Wade claps during the 2024 NCAA men's tournament. / Gabriel Mayberry-Imagn Images

John Wooden did it in the national championship. Dean Smith did it in the Final Four.

On Thursday, McNeese State coach Will Wade will join the list of coaches who have faced their alma mater in the men's NCAA tournament. His Cowboys will battle Clemson, where Wade spent four years as a student manager in the 2000s.

Wade was asked about his current relationship with his alma mater—and he gave a funny, truthful answer.

“Our players know, they don’t practice when Clemson plays football," Wade said.

Wade's coaching career has coincided with a golden era of Tigers football. Clemson won national titles in 2016 (his last academic year at VCU) and 2018 (his second at LSU), respectively.

Clemson grad Will Wade, the coach at McNeese, on playing his alma mater: “Our players know, they don’t practice when Clemson plays football.” pic.twitter.com/pTgYaGF52e

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) March 19, 2025

In two years with McNeese State following his turbulent exit from the Tigers following one of the pre-NIL era's last major pay-for-play scandals, Wade has steered the Cowboys to a 57–10 record.

McNeese State is seeking its first victory in any postseason tournament since 1986, when it beat Louisiana Tech in the NIT.

---

More College Basketball on Sports Illustrated

•

Michigan State Coach Tom Izzo Oddly Roots for Both Packers and Lions in NFL

•

McNeese Players Confirm Will Wade Is Focused on NCAA Tournament Amid NC State Reports

•

Will Wade Was Refreshingly Honest Addressing His Coaching Future After McNeese's Win

•

Norfolk State 'Angry' After Being Tabbed As Nearly 30-Point Underdogs vs. Florida

•

McNeese State, Will Wade Get Last Laugh in Upsetting Clemson in NCAA Tournament First Round