Syracuse Poised to Hire New Athletic Director
Syracuse University is reportedly set to hire Bryan Blair, currently the athletic director at Toledo, as its next AD. The move still requires final approval from the Syracuse board on Thursday, with an official announcement expected once confirmed.
Blair will succeed John Wildhack, who is retiring after a decade leading Syracuse athletics. Wildhack’s tenure included notable hires such as Fran Brown for football and Adrian Autry for basketball, though results were mixed.
Challenges Ahead for Blair
Brown’s football squad went 10-3 in 2024 but fell to 3-9 last season. Autry finished 49-48 over three seasons in basketball, including a 15-17 record in 2025-26. Following Syracuse’s blowout loss to SMU in the ACC Tournament, Wildhack dismissed Autry—marking the basketball program’s second straight losing season, a first since 1969.
One of Blair’s first priorities will be hiring a new basketball coach. Reported potential candidates include Gerry McNamara (Siena), Bryan Hodgson (USF), Josh Schertz (Saint Louis University), and Mike Hopkins (former Syracuse assistant). Blair’s task will be to revive a program that hasn’t reached the NCAA Tournament since 2021.
Blair’s Background
Blair has earned a strong reputation as a fundraiser during his tenure at Toledo, leading the Rockets to 13 MAC championships and launching the conference’s first NIL collective. Before Toledo, he served as deputy athletic director and COO at Washington State University, where he doubled fundraising, and held positions at Rice University, South Carolina, and the NCAA Office. He is a Wofford College football alumnus and holds a law degree from South Carolina.
Syracuse has undergone significant leadership changes recently, including naming Mike Haynie as chancellor on March 3, just before Autry’s firing and Blair’s reported hiring.
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