Gerry McNamara, who led Syracuse to its lone nationwide title in 2003 as the purpose guard, was named the varsity’s head coach on Tuesday.
McNamara, 42, was the pinnacle coach at Siena the previous two seasons, guiding the Saints to the NCAA Event this season after profitable the Metro Atlantic Athletic Convention event. As a No. 16 seed, Siena gave top-seeded Duke a scare within the first spherical on Thursday earlier than dropping 71-65.
Earlier than taking up at Siena, McNamara served as an assistant coach underneath Jim Boeheim and Adrian Autry for 15 seasons.
“I like this place. I like what Syracuse means: to the followers, to the gamers who’ve worn this jersey, to the individuals of Central New York. This program has given me every little thing, and I’m prepared to present every little thing again to it,” McNamara stated. “Faculty basketball has modified. The way you construct a program, recruit expertise, compete for sources and win appears totally different than it did even 5 years in the past. I do know that. I am prepared for it. What hasn’t modified is what Orange Nation expects, and what this place deserves. We’re going to construct one thing particular right here.”
Together with serving to Syracuse win the nationwide title throughout his freshman season alongside Carmelo Anthony, McNamara holds this system information for 3-pointers (400), 3-point makes an attempt (1,131), free-throw share (88.8%) and minutes performed (4,799). An All-Huge East honoree thrice, he began all 135 video games of his profession from 2002-06. The college retired his No. 3 jersey in 2023.
Nationwide champion, program icon and No. 3 within the rafters.
Welcome dwelling, Coach McNamara! ???? pic.twitter.com/Te5UfahJHE
— Syracuse College (@SyracuseU) March 24, 2026
McNamara returned to his alma mater in 2009 as a graduate assistant, then was elevated to an assistant in 2011 underneath Boeheim. He acquired one other promotion, to affiliate head coach, when Autry was named Boeheim’s successor in 2023.
McNamara left for Siena in 2024, posting a 37-30 report in two seasons. Earlier than this spring, the Saints had not made the NCAA Event since 2010. The workforce was 4-23 within the season earlier than McNamara’s arrival.
“Gerry McNamara is who our storied basketball program wants at this necessary second,” says Bryan B. Blair, incoming director of athletics. “In each dialog, his aggressive hearth and fervour was simple — it is merely a part of his DNA. He returns to Syracuse as a confirmed Division I head coach who led a program by way of a turnaround and again to the NCAA Event. At each cease in his enjoying and training journey, he has elevated these round him — student-athletes, employees and the broader neighborhood — by way of his power, his requirements and his potential to attach.
“Whereas Gerry’s deep connection to Syracuse is significant, it is merely a bonus to what he brings as a coach and chief. He honors our previous, however he’s pushed to construct for the longer term. It is a essential second for Syracuse basketball, and it’ll take all of us — everybody related to Syracuse College, Syracuse Athletics and Central New York — locking arms and supporting this program like by no means earlier than. We welcome Gerry dwelling and may’t wait to see the place he takes our program.”
Autry, additionally a former star participant at Syracuse, was fired earlier this month after the Orange missed out on the NCAA Event in every of his three seasons on the helm.
Syracuse didn’t qualify for every of the final 5 NCAA Tournaments, which represents the varsity’s longest dry spell since 1967-72. From 1973 to 2021, the Orange participated in 39 of the 48 tournaments.
Siena praised McNamara in a press release issued Tuesday and stated a nationwide seek for his successor would start instantly.
“Gerry led our Saints with character, grace, and integrity, and constructed a basketball program that our neighborhood was happy with, whereas reinvigorating our fan base.” the assertion learn.
“Whereas we’d have beloved for him to remain at Siena and construct upon the success he created, we acknowledge the distinctive alternative for Gerry to return to his alma mater, the place he received a Nationwide Championship.”
–Subject Degree Media
