Show summary Hide summary
Damon Stoudamire just officially joined Coach Will Wade’s LSU basketball staff. The former NBA star and Georgia Tech head coach arrived in Baton Rouge on April 13, bringing 13 seasons of professional experience and two college head coaching tenures to reshape the Tigers’ roster.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Official Date: Hired Monday, April 13, 2026, for the 2026-27 season
- NBA Pedigree: 1995 Rookie of the Year with Toronto Raptors, played 13 seasons
- Head Coaching Record: Pacific (2016-21) and Georgia Tech (2023-26)
- Award Winner: 2020 Ben Jobe National Coach of the Year at Pacific
Mighty Mouse Brings Championship DNA to Baton Rouge
Stoudamire’s hiring represents Will Wade’s third major addition to his coaching staff alongside Rick Stansbury and Johnny Jones. The 5-foot-10 point guard dominated NCAA play at Arizona (1991-95), leading the Wildcats to 101 victories, earning Pac-10 Player of the Year honors, and making the 1994 NCAA Final Four.
Arizona fans remember Stoudamire’s historic 1,849 career points and 663 assists, which remain legendary at his alma mater. He was selected 7th overall in the 1995 NBA Draft and immediately made an impact, leading Portland’s 1999-2000 Blazers to the Western Conference Finals.
Damon Stoudamire joins LSU basketball staff under Will Wade
Million Dollar Secret season 2 drops with shocking eliminations and drama
Two Head Coaching Stints Prove Solid Resume
Stoudamire spent five seasons at Pacific (2016-21), achieving his breakthrough in 2020 when his team won 23 games and finished 11-5 in the WCC. That success earned him the prestigious Ben Jobe National Coach of the Year award, recognizing the nation’s top minority Division I men’s basketball coach.
More recently, Stoudamire led Georgia Tech for three seasons (2023-26), reshaping the Yellow Jackets roster with significant recruiting and development wins. He also served two years as an assistant for the Boston Celtics (2021-23) and earlier held assistant positions at Arizona and Memphis.
Will Wade’s Elite Coaching Staff Takes Shape
| Coach | Role | Background |
| Will Wade | Head Coach | Returned 2026 after McNeese stint |
| Damon Stoudamire | Assistant Coach | Former Georgia Tech and Pacific head coach |
| Rick Stansbury | Assistant Coach | Former Mississippi State head coach |
| Johnny Jones | Assistant Coach | Former LSU and Texas Southern head coach |
“We are happy to welcome Damon Stoudamire to the LSU Basketball family. His NBA success and his years of college basketball coaching experience brings a perspective to our coaching staff that will be very useful as we move forward.”
— Will Wade, LSU Head Coach
Arizona Icon Brings Proven Player Development Expertise
Stoudamire’s credentials include two NCAA Elite Eight appearances during his 2013-15 assistant tenure at Arizona, where he helped develop multiple NBA prospects. He scored 11,763 career NBA points and dished 5,372 assists, finishing his professional career with stops in Toronto, Portland, Memphis, and San Antonio.
His combination of NBA championship experience, head coaching success at mid-major programs, and Elite Eight credentials makes him ideally suited for helping LSU rebuild. The Tigers seek roster transformation after previous seasons of challenges in conference play.
What Does Stoudamire’s Addition Mean for LSU Moving Forward?
Wade’s aggressive staff construction signals serious intent for the 2026-27 season. The Tigers now field a coaching staff featuring three former head coaches, combining extensive head coaching, NBA, and Elite Eight tournament experience. This represents one of the most accomplished assistant coaching groups assembled in recent LSU basketball history.
Stoudamire’s reputation for developing young talent and his national recognition as a minority coaching excellence award winner could prove transformational. The question remains, will LSU’s roster talent match the coaching pedigree being assembled in Baton Rouge?
Sources
- LSU Athletics Official – Official announcement of Damon Stoudamire joining Will Wade’s basketball staff, April 13, 2026
- Sports Illustrated – Coverage of Elite Assistant Coach joining LSU in massive staff move
- Arizona Desert Swarm – Profile of Arizona legend hired as LSU assistant coach
