LSU suspends Will Wade indefinitely

LSU announced Friday that it's suspended head coach Will Wade indefinitely, according to The Advocate's Perryn Keys.

Wade's suspension follows reports that an FBI wiretap captured a 2017 phone conversation between the coach and former agent Christian Dawkins discussing an offer for a potential recruit. Dawkins was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in October and received a six-month prison sentence Tuesday for funneling illegal payments to recruits' families.

"Recent media reports regarding coach Will Wade are without question concerning to all of us," LSU president F. King Alexander and director of athletics Joe Alleva said in the joint statement. "... We are closely coordinating with the NCAA with every step. They have our full cooperation and we will continue to report to them all facts and information on this matter.

"All of us at LSU share the obligation to protect the integrity of this institution, as such we have suspended head coach Will Wade indefinitely until such time as we can ensure full compliance with the NCAA, as well as institutional policies and standards."

Assistant coach Tony Benford will be the Tigers' interim head coach.

LSU (25-5) is in the midst of its best season in decades with one game remaining before the start of the SEC tournament.

In the recording of Wade's phone conversation, he reportedly complains that an individual identified as "Smart" didn't accept a "strong-ass offer" to attend LSU.

"The problem was, I know why he didn’t take it now, it was (expletive) tilted toward the family a little bit. It was tilted toward taking care of the mom, taking care of the kid," Wade says.

LSU freshman Javonte Smart committed to the program on June 30, 2017. Court records indicate Dawkins and Wade spoke on the phone at least three times between June 19-30 that year.

Wade joined the Tigers in March 2017. During his tenure, he's led them to a 43-20 record and rejuvenated a struggling program.