Syracuse reportedly targeting former player Gerry McNamara as its next men's basketball coach Syracuse University is finalizing a deal to hire former player Gerry McNamara as its next men’s basketball head coach following the dismissal of Adrian Autry. The move comes after Syracuse finished the 2025-26 season with a 15-17 record and a six-game losing streak, including four consecutive losses to unranked opponents. McNamara, who previously coached Siena to a 23-12 record and an NCAA tournament berth, is set to replace Autry, who led the Orange for his first season after taking over from legendary coach Jim Boeheim. McNamara’s coaching career at Siena saw the Saints improve from 14-18 in his debut season to 23-12 in 2025, securing a spot in the MAAC tournament. The team advanced to the NCAA tournament, where they faced No. 1 Duke in a historic matchup. Despite a 71-65 loss, Siena led Duke by 11 points at halftime, the largest halftime lead ever recorded by a No. 16 seed against a No. 1 team. However, the Saints’ depth was severely impacted when starter Antonio Chandler was ruled ineligible, a decision the NCAA attributed to an “institutional mistake” by Siena. Before joining Siena, McNamara spent his entire college coaching career at Syracuse, returning in 2009 as a graduate manager and later serving as an assistant. He became associate head coach for the 2023-24 season. McNamara’s playing career at Syracuse included a standout 2003 NCAA championship season, where he averaged 13.3 points per game as a four-year starter and a three-time All-Big East selection. Autry’s first season as Syracuse’s head coach saw the Orange go 20-12, but the team’s performance declined to 14-19 in 2024-25. Syracuse has not advanced beyond the Sweet 16 since 2021 and has not secured an NCAA tournament berth higher than a No.#syracuse_university #gerry_mcnamara #adrian_autry #jim_boeheim #maac_tournament
Syracuse to Hire Gerry McNamara as Head Basketball Coach Syracuse University is set to hire Gerry McNamara as its next head basketball coach, according to sources who confirmed the deal is expected to finalize soon. McNamara, a former standout player and assistant coach for the Orange, will replace Jonny Flynn, who was fired earlier this month after failing to lead the team to the NCAA tournament in any of his three seasons. McNamara’s hiring comes after he guided Siena to the NCAA tournament in his first season as head coach, securing a spot in the MAAC conference tournament and leading the Saints to a historic upset against No. 1 seed Duke. The Saints became the first 16-seed in NCAA tournament history to lead a 1-seed by double digits at halftime. His two-year tenure at Siena saw the team post a 37-30 record, marking a significant turnaround for the program. McNamara’s connection to Syracuse runs deep. He was a key player for the Orange, helping them win a national championship in 2003 and later having his No. 3 jersey retired in 2003. He holds records for most 3-pointers made and minutes played in program history, earning All-Big East honors three times. After a brief professional career, McNamara returned to Syracuse as a graduate assistant in 2009 and was promoted to an assistant coach under Jim Boeheim in 2011. When Boeheim retired in 2023, McNamara was elevated to associate head coach under Adrian Autry, who later became the head coach. Syracuse athletic director Bryan Blair has been in frequent contact with McNamara, including in-person and virtual meetings, as the university sought a coach committed to NIL (name, image, likeness) opportunities and competitive success in the ACC. The hiring reflects Syracuse’s desire to rebuild its program, which struggled under Autry’s leadership.#syracuse_university #gerry_mcnamara #siena #jonny_flynn #bryan_blair
Syracuse Should Consider Three Head Coaching Candidates Before Finalizing Gerry McNamara Hire Bryan Hodgson of South Florida and Josh Schertz of Saint Louis have been removed from Syracuse's list of potential head coaching candidates, with Siena's Gerry McNamara emerging as the leading contender for the Orange's vacant position, at least for now. McNamara has transformed Siena's program in his two seasons at the helm, guiding the Saints to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. The team, which won just four games in the 2024-25 season before his arrival, now faces No. 1 seed Duke in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament as a No. 16 seed. His success has generated buzz for the Syracuse job, though officials may still explore other options. McNamara's rapid turnaround at Siena has been remarkable. After leading the Saints to a 21-13 record in his first season, the program secured an automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Tournament. His ability to elevate a struggling program to national relevance has positioned him as a top candidate for Syracuse, which has struggled to find stability in its coaching ranks. However, the Orange's leadership may weigh other prospects before making a final decision. While hiring McNamara would be a positive move, I personally hope Syracuse's leadership explores other options, though I would fully support him regardless. The decision should prioritize long-term success over short-term hype. Before settling on McNamara, here are three additional candidates who could be viable choices for the Orange. John Groce, the head coach of Akron, has led the Zips to a 29-5 record and an automatic NCAA Tournament bid after winning the Mid-American Conference Tournament.#john_groce #gerry_mcnamara #siena #syracuse #shaheen_holloway
Siena coach Gerry McNamara: Focus on tournament, not Syracuse Siena head coach Gerry McNamara addressed rumors linking him to the vacant Syracuse coaching position, calling the speculation "inevitable," but emphasized his commitment to preparing his team for the NCAA tournament. Speaking ahead of the Saints’ opening-round matchup against No. 1 seed Duke, McNamara stated his priority was the game and his players. "These kids have given me everything they’ve got every day this season, and they deserve my full attention," he said. "That’s where my focus is." McNamara, a former Syracuse player and member of the 2003 national championship team, spent 15 years as an assistant coach with the Orange before joining Siena in 2023. Under his leadership, the Saints compiled a 23-11 record this season, including a MAAC tournament championship. His success, combined with his deep ties to Syracuse’s program, has placed him in the conversation for the vacant head coaching job at the Orange, which was vacated after Adrian Autry was fired following two consecutive NCAA tournament misses. McNamara acknowledged the speculation but framed it as a natural outcome of his achievements. "Because of what we’ve done here, my name is coming up," he said. "You get good players, you coach them right, you win, and everybody gets recognition." He noted that the timing of the Syracuse vacancy and Siena’s recent success made the situation "obviously going to be some speculation." Syracuse’s struggles in the NCAA tournament have been stark. The program has not advanced past the first round since 2021, a far cry from its dominant era in the 2000s when McNamara was a key player. He was a four-year starter for the Orange, leading them to four straight tournament appearances.#gerry_mcnamara #siena #syracuse #adrian_autry #jim_boeheim
Duke And Siena Set For NCAA Tournament Clash In Greenville Duke will face the Siena Saints in the NCAA tournament on Thursday, marking the Blue Devils’ first game of the postseason. The matchup pits a heavily favored Duke team against a Siena squad that has shown significant improvement this season. Siena, coached by former Syracuse star Gerry McNamara, finished third in the MAAC with a 23-11 record and won its conference tournament, a marked contrast to their 14-18 campaign last year. Siena’s roster features a deep rotation with several key contributors. Gavin Doty, a 6-5 sophomore, leads the team with 17.9 points per game and 7 rebounds, while senior Justice Shoats averages 13.2 points, 4.4 assists, and 1.4 steals. Brendan Coyle, a 6-7 senior, excels as a rebounder with 10.3 boards per game, and freshman Francis Folefac, a 6-7/245 lb. forward, provides inside presence. Tasman Goodrick, a 6-10/230 lb. junior from Australia, adds versatility to the rotation. The Saints’ offensive approach is distinct, relying heavily on mid-range shooting rather than three-pointers. They score just 22% of their points from beyond the arc, ranking 357th nationally in three-point percentage. Their pace is among the slowest in the country, with Siena averaging just 67.7 points per game allowed defensively. The team’s man-to-man defense has been effective, holding opponents to 47.9% shooting at the rim in their last 10 games. Siena’s strategy includes pairing Folefac with senior guard Riley Mulvey, a 7-0/240 lb. player, to create a formidable inside presence. However, their slow tempo could be a liability against Duke’s fast-paced style. The Blue Devils, known for their ability to stretch the shot clock, may exploit Siena’s methodical approach.#duke_blue_devils #siena_saints #gerry_mcnamara #gavin_doty #justice_shoats
