The NCAA’s Independent Resolution Panel ruled on Thursday that LSU men’s basketball and football will be on probation for the next three years.
The panel, which is a part of the NCAA’s Independent Accountability Resolution Process, also ruled that former LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade will be handed a two-year show-cause order and be suspended for the first 10 games this season as the new coach at McNeese State.
The IARP’s ruling comes after the NCAA handed LSU a Notice of Allegations in March of 2022 for potential recruiting violations committed by LSU’s men’s basketball and football programs.
Thursday’s ruling also details the self-imposed penalties from the university, including a scholarship reduction for the men’s basketball program over the next two seasons and a postseason ban for the football program during the 2020-21 season. The football program also vacated 37 victories between 2012-15 for using a player determined to be ineligible because he father was paid money from funds embezzled from a charity.
LSU fired Wade on March 12, 2022, three days after the program received a Notice of Allegations from the NCAA. LSU’s men’s basketball and football programs were handed 11 alleged violations in the Notice of Allegations, including eight Level 1 offenses.
Wade was fired for cause, as the IARP charged him with five Level 1 and two Level 2 NCAA violations. He was let go the day before the Tigers’ opening-round opponent at the 2022 NCAA men’t tournament was announced.
Wade did not coach during the 2022-23 season but was hired by McNeese State to become its coach on March 13, 2023.
LSU, meanwhile, hired Murray State coach Matt McMahon to replace Wade following its opening-round exit at the NCAA Tournament. In his first season at LSU, McMahon led the Tigers to a 14-19 record and a 2-16 mark in conference play.
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