Will Wade agrees to NC State job on six-year deal after McNeese's season ends vs. Purdue in NCAA Tournament

Wade revitalized his career the past two seasons with McNeese; his hiring is expected to be made official Sunday

McNeese coach Will Wade has agreed to a six-year contract to be the next coach of NC State, he told CBS Sports on Saturday. Wade spoke in the locker room following McNeese's 76-62 loss to Purdue in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. 

NC State made the hiring official on Sunday. 

"I am beyond excited and honored to be chosen to lead the Wolfpack basketball program," Wade said in a statement. "NC State's rich tradition, passionate fan base, and location in one of the best cities in the country make this a destination job and I can't wait to get started. I would like to thank Boo Corrigan and Chancellor Woodson for this awesome opportunity. My family and I look forward to being a part of Wolfpack nation."

When asked about his future at the day-before press conference prior to McNeese's game against Clemson, Wade acknowledged he had been contact with NC State.

"Yes," Wade said when asked if he, his agent, or anyone close to him had spoken to NC State.

Hours later, sources confirmed to CBS Sports' Matt Norlander that Wade was expected to take the job. 247Sports' NC State site, PackPride.com, also reports that Wade and the Wolfpack have reached an agreement on a deal. 

"I am excited and proud that Will Wade will be the next head coach for Wolfpack men's basketball," said NC State athletic director Boo Corrigan. "I went into this search with an open mind and had great conversations with several outstanding candidates from across the nation. But after speaking extensively with Will and others who know him well, I knew that he was the right leader for the Wolfpack." 

Wade's 12th-seeded Cowboys upset No. 5  Clemson on Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament 69-67, logging the school's first March Madness win ever. Wade didn't shy from what the heavy speculation, and he said as much by addressing situation directly with his team.

"We addressed it head-on," Wade said. "I talked to them Saturday about it. Here's what it is, here is where we are. It was just me and our players and we all talked about it. I'm aware of what I have got going on. They're aware of what we've got going on. You just hit it head-on. We're all on the same page with everything."

With Kevin Keatts out, NC State had been closing in on Wade. The 42-year-old former LSU coach owns a 244-105 record across four Division I coaching stops since breaking in at Chattanooga in 2013 at age 30.

Wade has done a masterful job in two seasons with McNeese, guiding the Cowboys to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and rebuilding his reputation following a messy exit from LSU. 

The hiring could come with another big get: March Madness viral star manager Amir "Aura" Kahn is expected to follow Wade to Raleigh and join the staff as a graduate assistant after completing his undergraduate degree at McNeese later this year.