The LSU Tigers’ attempt to corner the market on self-centered head coaches has already impacted the Tennessee Vols once in recent months, and it could end up happening again.

LSU’s decision to hire Lane Kiffin, a coach who completely quit on his players at Ole Miss, to replace Brian Kelly as the program’s head football coach last December led to Tennessee missing out on Arizona State transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt.

Leavitt probably would’ve ended up at Tennessee if not for Kiffin stalking Leavitt in the Knoxville airport and offering the quarterback an NIL package worth far more than the Vols were willing to offer.

Now, the Tigers are set to make another move that could impact the Volunteers.

Will Wade is reportedly leaving NC State for LSU after just one season

If Kiffin quitting on his players in the middle of a College Football Playoff run wasn’t bizarre enough, the Tigers are reportedly set to bring Will Wade back to Baton Rouge just four years after he was fired due to NCAA violations.

Wade spent two seasons at McNeese State before landing at NC State this past season.

Sources: LSU will officially part ways with Matt McMahon today and hire NC State's Will Wade as its next head basketball coach.

Wade was previously the head coach of the Tigers from 2017-22.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 26, 2026

The news comes less than two weeks after Wade indicated he was committed to NC State.

Will Wade less than 2 weeks ago after being asked about links to the LSU job:

“No, is the job open there? Huh?… Let me be very clear. I’m excited at NC State. I was hired at NC State to do a job. This wasn’t gonna take one year…” pic.twitter.com/cX1X0bJ5NC

— Boo Cardigan (@BooCardiganNCSU) March 25, 2026

Wade and Kiffin are two narcissistic peas in a pod. I guess that’s what LSU values these days.

Anyway, now NC State needs a head coach. And Vols assistant coach Justin Gainey, a former Wolfpack point guard, would make a lot of sense to take over in Raleigh.

Gainey has never been a head coach before, but he’s been mentioned as a potential head coaching candidate this offseason by several national outlets.

The longtime assistant, who just turned 49 earlier this month, has been at Tennessee since 2021.

We’ll see where NC State goes after losing Wade to the sewer LSU, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if Gainey is on their shortlist.

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