News

VCU official statement on Will Wade and coaching position

Mat Shelton-Eide
Posted onMar 21, 2017 at 10:32 AM
Updated onUpdated on Mar 21, 2017 at 6:35 AM

This just in from VCU…

RICHMOND, Va. – VCU Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Ed McLaughlin confirmed this morning that Will Wade would not be returning as head men’s basketball coach at Virginia Commonwealth University and that he had accepted the same position at Louisiana State University.

“I always meet with coaches after the season to determine the best ways to build their programs and put our student-athletes in the best position to reach their potential, McLaughlin said. “Will and I agreed on the necessary next steps, and we met all of Will’s requests. He ultimately decided he would rather coach elsewhere.”

“We have a world-class practice facility, a sold out arena every night and one of the greatest fan bases in all of college basketball. VCU Basketball is bigger than one person. We remain committed to ensuring that VCU Basketball remains a top-25 program nationally. We have a tradition of remarkable success that is focused ultimately on providing our student-athletes with a positive experience, focusing on our core values: student-athlete focus, drive to excel and integrity.”

A national search will begin immediately for the position.

Mat Shelton-Eide
A two-time graduate of VCU (School of the Arts '07, Center for Sport Leadership '10), Mat is a co-founder of VCU Ram Nation and a longtime fan as the ...
  • Keith
  • March 21, 2017
If the recruits ask for their release, please only grant conditional release that prevents them from going to LSU.
  • Rebecca Schmidt
  • March 21, 2017
Oh, Ed, I so hope you and assistant coaches and current/former players are sitting down and helping the recruits by talking them through this. As De'Riante so eloquently said "Foindation Built on Loyalty".
    • Rebecca Schmidt
    • March 21, 2017
    Foundation. Sorry for typo.
  • Scott Glatfelter
  • March 21, 2017
RHOADES
  • M.M
  • March 21, 2017
Jeff Capel, it's a stretch but VCU is a much better program than 12 years ago. We have the facilities and can afford the salary to pay Jeff. After all, he was the catalyst that led to where VCU is today.
  • Jim Fitzgerald
  • March 21, 2017
May we abandon the whole notion of replacing Will Wade with "Shaka or one of his associates?" We have a great program; let's be original and get the right person for the job. Heaven forbid, maybe, even someone mature and does not view VCU as a stepping stone. Wade did what he was hired to do--he got us through a challenging time. Now, let us move onward and upward. Focus on our players, recruits and staff; the heart of the basketball program.
  • Al Parks
  • March 22, 2017
Maybe he will follow Rhoades back home to VA. Our new backcourt Evans and Batts maybe!!!!
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/3920203/marcus-evans
  • Kevin Simms
  • March 22, 2017
Wade (like Shaka) has made a mistake...He will not realize this for a few years.....The program is stronger than 1 person. For years he will be watching VCU play in the tourney while he is sitting at home thinking about how to get in next year. UK, Florida, USC and Bama will punish LSU for the next 3 years.
As a VCU alum I am saddened by the coaching carousel that the VCU job has become. I wonder if we will always be seen as a stepping stone to a "better" coaching job. My hope is we find someone who wants to build VCU into a top 20 team year in and year out.