As NC State Is Hosting VCU Monday Night In Raleigh Will Wade Is Coaching Against VCU Who He Was Once Head Coach Of
Will Wade was Head Coach of VCU in 2015-2016 season as well as 2016-2017 season!
While Head Coach of VCU Will Wade had a record of 51-20 and two NCAA Tournament appearances in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017. His 2016 squad advanced to the second round of the tournament, defeating seventh-seed Oregon State before losing to Oklahoma. That season, Wade was the youngest head coach to appear in the NCAA Tournament.
The Rams posted a 28-8 league record over his two years in the Atlantic 10, posting 14-4 records both years. The team was 25-11 in 2016 and earned a share of the Atlantic 10 Conference regular season crown. The 2017 team won 26 games and finished second in the league.
Will Wade became the Head Coach NC State Head Coach who replaced Kevin Keatts who was fired following NC State’s terrible season finishing with a record of 12-19 this season not making ACC Tournament , NCAA Tournament following making ACC Tournament, NCAA Tournament as well as Final Four a season ago.
Following Will Wade becoming NC State’s new Head Coach replacing Kevin Keatts who was fired NC State Director Of Athletics Boo Coorigan had this to say!
I am excited and proud that Will Wade will be the next head coach for Wolfpack men's basketball,"
I went into this search with an open mind and had great conversations with several outstanding candidates from across the nation. But after speaking extensively with Will and others who know him well, I knew that he was the right leader for the Wolfpack."
He is a tough coach with proven results on the court and he has grown and improved at every coaching stop. He is known for having great relationships with his players and he will hold them, his staff and himself accountable. Will told me that he believes that he can win at NC State … and 'win big.' It didn't take me too many conversations with him to believe it too.""I am beyond excited and honored to be chosen to lead the Wolfpack basketball program," said Wade. "NC State's rich tradition, passionate fan base, and location in one of the best cities in the country make this a destination job and I can't wait to get started. I would like to thank Boo Corrigan and Chancellor Woodson for this awesome opportunity. My family and I look forward to being a part of Wolfpack nation."
"We are thrilled to welcome Will Wade as the new head coach of NC State Men's Basketball," said NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson. "With a proven track record of excellence and a commitment to building a supportive culture for student-athletes, Will is the perfect leader to guide the Pack basketball program to new heights."
A native of Nashville, Tenn., Wade has previously served as head coach at VCU, LSU and McNeese. He brings 11 years of head coaching experience to the Wolfpack and has led his programs to seven NCAA Tournament berths, including appearances in the last five.
Following Will Wade becoming NC State’s new Head Coach following leaving his McNeese Head Coach position following McNeese 74-62 loss to Purdue in second round of NCAA Tournament on Saturday March 22, 2025 Will Wade had this to say about becoming NC State’s Head Coach!
I am beyond excited and honored to be chosen to lead the Wolfpack basketball program. NC State’s rich tradition , passionate fan base and location in one of the best cities in the country to make this a destination job and I can’t wait to get started . I would like to thank Boo Corrigan and Chancellor Woodson for this awesome opportunity . My family and I look forward to be apart of Wolfpack nation.
According to Jadyn Watson-Fisher News & Observer article https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/nc-state/article302636589.html
As NC State is hosting VCU Monday night in North Carolina’s state capital Will Wade is coaching against VCU who he was once Head Coach of.
Where?
On the hardwood!
Before coaching against his former team VCU who he was once was Head Coach of Will Wade had this to say!
I love VCU. I loved my time there,”I was too eager to leave.”I should have never left,”“I’m reflective enough to admit that. I should’ve stayed a while longer. We had something really [good] going.”
I was fortunate I got to coach there,”Anybody can win there. They can hire any of y’all and you can win there. They’ve got the support. It’s a big time spot. “I was thrown into the fire. I replaced the best coach there of all time. Took them to the Final Four. I was just trying not to screw it up. They gave me the keys to a Ferrari and said, ‘Drive fast. Don’t put this thing in the ditch. Let’s just try and keep that bad boy between the lines.’”
NC State is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference while VCU is a member of Atlantic 10 Conference!
NC State comes into the game with VCU with record of 3-0 because they’ve won every game they’ve played so far including their most recent game a 110-64 win over UNC Greensboro on Wednesday November 12, 2025 because Mattt Able, Quadir Copeland , Paul McNeil Jr., Darrion Williams scored 10, 13, 27, 32 points NC State went on to rout UNC G Wednesday night in North Carolina’s state capital.
Where?
On the hardwood!
As Matt Able who is a freshman a guard scored 10 points he was 3-9 on field goals to go along with 2 rebounds, 1 assists.As Quadir Copeland who is a senior guard scored 13 points he was 5-7 on field goals, 2-2 on free throws to go along with 3 rebounds, 6 assists. Paul O’Neil Jr. who is a sophomore guard scored 27 points he was 8-16 on field goals 5-5 on free throws to go along with 5 rebounds, 2 assists , 1 block. As Darrion Williams scored 32 points he was 12-19 on field goals 2-2 on free throws to go along with 10 rebounds , 2 assists, 4 steals. As a team NC State was 38-68 on field goals , 16-32 on 3 pointers to go along with 43 rebounds , 4 turnovers.
Following Matt Able , Quadir Copeland , Paul McNeil Jr. , Darrion Williams scoring 10, 13, 27, 32 points following NC State going on to rout UNCG Quadir Copeland had this to say about playing for Head Coach Will Wade!
“He allows me to be Q,“I don’t feel like I wouldn’t be that leader if I didn’t talk. I’ve got to be able to talk. I’ve got to be building confidence in players. I’ve got to be checking to make sure everybody’s good.”
Following Matt Able , Quadir Copeland , Paul McNeil Jr. , Darrion Williams scoring 10, 13, 27, 32 points following NC State going on to rout UNCG Head Coach Will Wade had this to say about his defensive efficiency!
Our defensive efficiency tonight was great, except for the fouling,”inside shooting. “That’s the biggest statistical anomaly you’ll ever see. … We were just walking them to the free throw line.”
Following Matt Able , Quadir Copeland , Paul McNeil Jr. , Darrion Williams scoring 10, 13, 27, 32 points following NC State guard Darrion Williams who scored 32 points had this to say about his fellow guard Quadir Copeland!
is one of a kind. I think if you’re around him enough, you’ll understand that,”“His energy and relentlessness throughout the game — me and him were just talking about trying to bring the energy. I think the energy was slacking in the beginning. He didn’t start the second half, but when he was coming in, he was ready to go. And, he was trying to make sure we were ready from the bench.”
According to Jadyn Watson Fisher News & Observer article https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/nc-state/article312832147.html
VCU comes into the game with NC State with record of 2-1 because Like NC State,
VCU routed their opponent on Wednesday! Their opponent? St. Peters as they won 78-61 in Richmond Virginia where Lazor Djokovica junior a forward was 3-7 on field goals , 0-1 on 3 pointers 5-7 on free throws to go along with 5 rebounds, 1 assists , 4 blocks. Barry Evans who is a senior a forward was 5-7 on field goals , 0-1 on 3 pointers , 1-1 on free throws to go along with 8 rebounds, 4 assists. Jadrian Tracey who is a guard was 2-8 on field goals , 2-4 on 3 pointers , 5-6 on free throws to go along with 4 rebounds, 3 assists. Terrance Hill Jr. a sophomore guard was 4-5 on field goals , 3-4 on on 3 pointers to go along with 1 rebound 13 points. Tyrell Ward who is a junior a guard was 5-11 on field goals , 2-6 on 3 pointers to go along 3 rebounds , 15 points.
As a team VCU shot 44.9 % on field goals shot 8-22 on 3 pointers for 36% was 26-39 on free throws to go along 7 steals, 5 blocks.
Following Head Coach Phil Martelli Jr. noted that the game provided valuable experience for his team particularly breaking down a zone defense as well handling physical play.
Tip off is set for 7:00pm from Lenovo Center!
The game is going to be televised on ACC Network with Jay Alter, Randolph Childress commentating!
Jay Alter joined ESPN in 2018, calling various college sports including football, basketball and lacrosse, as well as contributing to NFL coverage on ESPN Radio. In addition to college sports, Alter also calls Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) games on ABC and ESPN platforms.
Prior to ESPN, Alter served as a host, play-by-play commentator and reporter for the BIG EAST Digital Network. He was also a weekend sports anchor for News12 (CT) in 2016.
Alter graduated from Syracuse University in 2016 with a bachelor’s in broadcast journalism. He currently resides in Darien, Conn. with his wife, Liz, and daughter, Ellie.
Randolph Childress is a former Wake Forest guard who played in 120 career games averaged 18.4 points per game, 3.0 rebounds per game , 3.9 assists per game while shooting 44.6 % on field goals , 39.5 % on 3 pointers, 80.4 % on free throws. Following his playing career at Wake Forest Randolph Childress went on to be drafted in 1st round of 1995 NBA Draft as 19th overall pick, selection before going on to play 3 seasons in NBA where he would play two seasons for Portalnd one season for Detroit.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/randolph-childress-1.html
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/childra01.html
Following playing professionally in the NBA Randolph Childress would go on to coach at Wake Forest as at his collegiate alma mater where he would coach 10 seasons as Assistant Coach before stepping away from that position on April 7, 2021. At the time of stepping away from Assistant Coach position Randolph Childress had this to say!
I love coaching and Wake Forest, and I treasure the relationships my family and I have with Deacon Nation,"and Wake Forest, and I treasure the relationships my family and I have with Deacon Nation," Childress said. "With the support of my wife Tabetha, we feel that this is the right time for me to step away and explore other opportunities. I am proud of the role I have served in helping young men be successful on and off the court. I look forward to continuing to serve my community and will always support Wake Forest Athletics."
According to article by Wake Forest Athletic Communications!