BREAKING: LSU fires Men's Basketball Head Coach Matt McMahon

LSU has parted ways with men’s basketball head coach Matt McMahon following his fourth season in Baton Rouge, sources tell The Bengal Tiger and On3’s Pete Nakos.

McMahon’s tenure at LSU ended after back-to-back three win seasons in Southeastern Conference play. In his four seasons, McMahon’s best finish in the SEC game in Year 2 when the Tigers were 9-9 overall.

Year 2 was also McMahon’s lone LSU team with a winning record on the season. The Tigers finished 17-16 overall before losing in the opening round of the NIT.

McMahon took over the program following the firing of Will Wade by former LSU Athletics Director Joe Alleva, and his arrival in Baton Rouge meant building a roster that was down to zero scholarship players. In Year 1, LSU finished 14-16 overall and 2-16 in SEC play.

After four seasons as head coach of the Tigers, McMahon’s overall record (60-70) and SEC record (17-55) were enough for decision makers – and others with influence around LSU Athletics – to warrant making a move to hire a new head coach.

Ironically, McMahon’s replacement is expected to be the coach he replaced after leaving Murray State for LSU ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Wade, who took McNeese and NC State to the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons, is at the center of LSU’s decision to part ways with McMahon.

How so?

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has already advocated for LSU to bring Wade back to Baton Rouge, and he flexed his power over LSU Athletics following the school’s decision to fire Brian Kelly when comments made about former LSU Athletics Director Scott Woodward quickly led to the school and Woodward agreeing to separation terms.

Soon after, McNeese President Wade Rousse landed the same role at LSU – something Landry had pushed for. Over the past month, more changes came when Landry removed Scott Ballard from the LSU Board of Supervisors and appointed Lee Mallett as the new Chairman.

Not only is Mallett close with Landry, but he’s also tied to Wade given his Lake Charles background and time spent around the former LSU and McNeese head basketball coach.

Toss in LSU’s hire of McNeese AD Heath Shroyer for an AD role at LSU, and the picture becomes even more clear.

Louisiana’s Governor, LSU’s President, LSU’s Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, and LSU’s newest hire within the athletics department (Shroyer) all want Wade back in Baton Rouge and coaching the Tigers.

And with McMahon out, and Wade reportedly informing NC State that he does not plan to return for Year 2 in Raleigh, the path to bring Wade from NC State to LSU is wide open.

While McMahon’s time at Murray State saw him take the Racers to the NCAA Tournament with 30-plus wins the year prior to arriving in Baton Rouge, his time at LSU did not produce a winning season or an NBA Draft pick.

Now, all eyes turn to Wade – and the waiting game for an announcement that will bring “The General” back to the PMAC as head coach of the Tigers.

Stay tuned to The Bengal Tiger for the latest intel and updates on the men’s basketball program.