LSU CFB, MCBB Teams Get 3 Years Probation After FBI Probe; Wade Suspended 10 Games

LSU's football and men's basketball teams received three years of probation in a ruling from the NCAA stemming from the FBI's investigation into widespread corruption across college athletics.

Per the official ruling (h/t CBS Sports' Will Backus), the football program received a Level I violation, a Level II violation and a Level III violation and given a backdated three-year probation that will end on Sept. 21.

Former LSU head basketball coach Will Wade has received a 10-game suspension, as well as a two-year show-cause penalty effective from June 22, 2023, to June 21, 2025, that includes certain recruiting restrictions:

Ron Higgins of TigerDetails.com noted LSU was able to avoid more significant discipline from the NCAA after it self-imposed sanctions three years ago.

Robert Munson, LSU Senior Associate Athletic Director, said in an October 2020 statement (h/t Ross Dellenger and Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated) the school "worked proactively and in cooperation with the NCAA to identify and self-report any violations that occurred within our football program."

The self-imposed sanctions on the football team included cutting eight scholarships from the 2021 and 2022 seasons, as well as banning Odell Beckham Jr. from all activities for two seasons.

Beckham, who played at LSU from 2011 to '13, was seen on television handing out what appeared to real money to Justin Jefferson and Jontre Kirklin following the Tigers' 42-25 victory over Clemson in the 2020 College Football Playoff Championship Game.

An LSU official told Brooks Kubena of The Advocate the money was fake.

Wade was fired by LSU in March 2022 after the school received a notice of allegations from the NCAA related to potential violations within the football and basketball programs.

Seven of the eight Level I violations in the original notice were tied to the men's basketball program, with Wade accused of five Level I violations and one Level II violation. He was suspended for three Level I violations.

Wade was implicated in the FBI's corruption investigation in college basketball in March 2019.

A report from Forde, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel for Yahoo Sports at the time noted an FBI wiretap intercepted a 2017 phone conversation between Wade and Christian Dawkins talking about a "strong-ass offer" Wade made during the recruitment of a prospect.

Wade sat out the 2022-23 season before being hired by McNeese State in March after John Aiken was fired.