Will Wade, who was suspended from LSU late in the year amid allegations of recruiting improprieties, has been reinstated.
According to LSU A.D. Joe Alleva, Wade’s reinstatement comes after he spent Friday meeting with university and NCAA officials.
“During those meetings, he answered all questions and denied any wrongdoing in connection with recently reported allegations of irregularities in college basketball recruiting,” Alleva wrote.
“The University regrets that Coach Wade did not choose to fulfill his obligations to LSU when he was first asked to do so. However, the seriousness of the allegations and Coach Wade’s prior refusal to refute them could not be ignored without exposing the University and the basketball program to great risk. Protecting LSU and preserving our integrity must always be our first priority.
“Coach Wade’s explanations and clarifications offered during the meeting, absent actual evidence of misconduct, satisfy his contractual obligation to LSU. Accordingly, I have recommended that Coach Wade’s suspension be lifted and that he should be allowed to resume his coaching responsibilities. President Alexander has accepted this recommendation.”
Wade had led LSU to a 25-5 record before his suspension. Under interim head coach Tony Benford, the Tigers reached the Sweet 16 of the East Regional before losing to Michigan State.