Syracuse Names Gerry McNamara as Next Head Basketball Coach
Syracuse has officially hired Gerry McNamara as the ninth head coach in program history, the school announced Tuesday.
McNamara returns to Syracuse after spending the past two seasons as head coach at Siena. In his second year, he guided the Saints to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010, with his No. 16 seed squad nearly pulling off a stunning upset of No. 1 Duke in the opening round.
A legendary figure at Syracuse, McNamara played for the Orange from 2002 to 2006 and later served on the coaching staff from 2009 through 2024 under Jim Boeheim and Red Autry. Autry was dismissed earlier this month following three inconsistent seasons leading the program.
In a statement, McNamara expressed his deep connection to the school and his vision moving forward, emphasizing both the evolving landscape of college basketball and his commitment to restoring Syracuse’s standard of success.
Major Changes for Syracuse Athletics
McNamara’s hiring is part of a wave of leadership changes at Syracuse. Over the past month, the university has appointed a new chancellor, Michael Haynie, and a new athletic director, Bryan Blair, signaling a broader reset across the program.
Blair praised McNamara’s leadership, energy, and proven ability to rebuild a program, pointing to his success at Siena and his strong ties to Syracuse as key factors in the decision.
A Decorated Syracuse Career
As a player, McNamara ranks among the best in program history. He holds school records for made three-pointers (400), free throw percentage (.888), and minutes played (4,799), while also ranking highly in assists, steals, and scoring.
He was also a key contributor to Syracuse’s 2003 national championship team, earning All-Final Four honors after knocking down six three-pointers against Kansas in the title game as a freshman.
Now back at his alma mater, McNamara will look to usher in a new era for Syracuse basketball.
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