“They’re pretty mad for a coach they didn’t think was

In Will Wade’s introductory press conference at LSU, he took a shot at NC State fans, saying we are pretty mad at a coach we didn’t think was very good.

Here’s the exact quote:

“I think some of the things have been mischaracterized on how I left, but I’m not gonna get into a back-and-forth. The people who need to know, know. When there’s a situation like this, everybody has to cover, let’s put it that way. I’m at peace with how I left… Look, they’re pretty mad for a coach they didn’t think was very good.”

I can’t speak for all NC State fans. I can only speak for myself. But maybe my words will resonate with other Wolfpack fans.

Was I disappointed in the job you did this year? Not entirely. I do think you walked on a stage in Reynolds Coliseum acting like you were NC State’s messiah. I do think your Red Reckoning language was electric. You put the world of college basketball on notice. After the season opener, you took the mic and screamed “The Red Reckoning is HERE!”

To embody my inner Will Ferrell, it got the people going.

But you ended up being a used car salesman. It didn’t go unnoticed that the Red Reckoning language was taken out of the intro played in the Lenovo. Was it because you realized you sold false goods?

Hype men are great, but only when they can back up their words. But I’m willing to forgive. Maybe you’d eventually bring a reckoning.

Overall, you did lead the team back to the NCAA Tournament, turning things around from the year before. You led the team to 20+ wins. To be honest, your first year wasn’t any more impressive than the former NC State coaches that came before you, but your first year wasn’t a dud. I was thankful for the turnaround and what the future could hold.

Was I mad in your first year as a coach? No. Disappointed a bit, maybe, but not mad.

What makes me mad is not when someone doesn’t meet all of their said expectations.

What makes me mad is being lied to. Did you ever intend to plant roots here? You sure doubled down on many occasions you intended to do so.

What makes me mad is you quit after one year, which is fairly unprecedented. I’m not a big fan of quitters.

What makes me mad is you no-showed a meeting with Boo Corrigan. I don’t have much patience for adults not respecting their superiors.

What makes me mad is you seemingly were cooking your exit for quite some time. I won’t lay all the detective work out, but it doesn’t take a ton of connecting the dots to feel like you were using NC State to just get back to where you always planned to be.

I’m not mad because you underachieved your first year. I’m mad because you bounced after one season, which could put NC State in a compromised position to get to where they want to be.

Thankfully, I think the Wolfpack will be just fine without you.

In the end, your words at your press conference were tone-deaf and immature, but I’m not shocked. You filled the airwaves with such words on a weekly basis.