SALT LAKE CITY — McNeese State’s trip back to the NCAA Tournament had 22 years of twists, turns, and even a few heartbreaks.

There is also a lot of credit that can go around for this record-setting season and a lot of folks who had a hand in it.

But if you ask the Cowboys, they will tell you there is only one reason for them to have battled Gonzaga Thursday night in the first round of the Midwest Regional.

That reason is Will Wade.

“He is the reason we came here, all of us I believe,” said guard Shahada Wells. “His vision for what we could do, his belief in how we could do it, that drove us every day.”

Wade is the reason Christian Shumate came back after entering the NCAA transfer portal at the end of last season.

“After being in the portal and weighing my options, I talked with coach Wade and ultimately decided the best option for myself was to return to McNeese,” Shumate said when he announced he would return.

The 6-foot-7 forward later elaborated on his reasons.

“You hear him talk about how things were are going to be done and what we could accomplish, and you just trust him,” Shumate said. “It isn’t easy, and it was a lot of work, but look where we are. It worked out.”

Those are the sentiments of just about every member of the Cowboys. Wade sold them sold them on McNeese.

Some of them had never seen the campus until they were enrolled at McNeese and started summer workouts. Most admitted they had no idea where Lake Charles was.

“I think they all came here with a chip on their shoulders and wanting to prove something to people who didn’t believe in them,” Wade said. “They needed a second chance and so did I.”

Wade was referring to his departure from LSU and he has never been shy about that time.

“I was fired,” Wade said.

It is that kind of direct honesty his players respect.

“You may not like what he tells you, but he comes straight at you,” said guard D.J. Richards. “He has made all this happen.”

Richards was told by Wade he would be moved from the starting lineup to sixth man early in the season. It didn’t sit well at first.

“I wasn’t happy about it, but Coach gave me the reasons why and said it was best for the team,” Richards said. “I didn’t like it but I now understand it and he was right.”

Richards paid his coach the ultimate compliment when asked if he was going to stay at McNeese next season.

“I will be where coach Wade will be,” he said.