Syracuse Legend Gerry McNamara Backs SU Coach Adrian Autry

McNamara, now the head coach at Siena, says Autry is a close friend and colleague.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 9:15pm

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Syracuse basketball legend Gerry McNamara, who is now the head coach at Siena, expressed his strong support for current Syracuse head coach Adrian Autry, his longtime friend and former colleague. Despite the Orange's recent struggles, McNamara made it clear he has Autry's back and that their relationship goes far beyond just basketball.

Why it matters

McNamara's endorsement of Autry carries significant weight given his status as an Orange icon and the fact that some fans have called for Autry's job amid Syracuse's current slump. This shows that Autry maintains the backing of key figures within the program as he navigates a challenging season.

The details

McNamara and Autry worked together as assistants under Jim Boeheim at Syracuse for over a decade. When Boeheim retired, Autry was the more senior assistant and was named the head coach. Despite Syracuse's inability to end its NCAA Tournament drought, McNamara made it clear that his relationship with Autry goes far beyond just basketball, describing him as a "great family friend" whose son has even come to see McNamara's Siena team play.

  • On Wednesday, McNamara was asked about Autry and gave a thoughtful response.

The players

Gerry McNamara

A Syracuse basketball legend who is now the head coach at Siena in the MAAC.

Adrian Autry

The current head coach of the Syracuse Orange men's basketball team, who was previously an assistant under Jim Boeheim.

Jim Boeheim

The legendary former head coach of the Syracuse Orange men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“I talk to Red all the time. That's my guy. I haven't talked to him in a week or two. But yeah, those are as good of friends as I have in life. Let's set professionalism aside and what we do for a living. That's a guy I spent more than a decade working with, a colleague, a guy that lived five houses from me. A great family friend. Our wives are friends. His son Trey came to see our team in D.C. I talk to those guys all the time.”

— Gerry McNamara

The takeaway

Despite the struggles of the Syracuse basketball team, this story highlights the strong personal and professional bond between head coach Adrian Autry and Orange legend Gerry McNamara. McNamara's unwavering support for his longtime friend and colleague shows that Autry maintains the backing of key figures within the Syracuse program as he looks to guide the team through a challenging season.