Syracuse Hires Siena's Gerry McNamara as New Head Coach

The former Orange star returns to his alma mater to lead the program's turnaround.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 7:27pm

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The Syracuse Orange basketball program has hired Gerry McNamara, the head coach of Siena College, to be their new head coach. McNamara, a former Syracuse star player who led the team to a national championship in 2003, will look to revive the struggling Orange program after the departure of previous head coach Adrian Autry.

Why it matters

Syracuse basketball has been a powerhouse program for decades, but has fallen on hard times in recent years. The hiring of McNamara, a beloved figure in the Syracuse community, is seen as a move to reconnect the team with its storied past and energize the fan base as the program aims to return to national prominence.

The details

McNamara, who has been the head coach at Siena for the past two seasons, impressed Syracuse officials with his ability to lead a team to the NCAA Tournament, including a first-round scare of Duke this past season. Syracuse athletic director Bryan Blair emphasized the school's commitment to NIL deals that will put the Orange in the top third of the ACC in that area.

  • On March 22, 2026, multiple reports indicated that Syracuse was expected to hire McNamara as their new head coach.
  • McNamara led Siena to a 23-12 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance in the 2025-26 season.

The players

Gerry McNamara

A former Syracuse basketball star who led the team to a national championship in 2003 and had his #3 jersey retired. He has been the head coach at Siena College for the past two seasons.

Adrian Autry

The previous head coach of the Syracuse basketball team, who parted ways with the program prior to the hiring of McNamara.

Bryan Blair

The athletic director at Syracuse University, who led the search for the program's new head coach.

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What they’re saying

“Syracuse officials stressed during the process a commitment to NIL that projects in the top third of the ACC”

— Pete Thamel, ESPN reporter

What’s next

McNamara will now begin the process of assembling his coaching staff and recruiting players to help turn around the Syracuse program.

The takeaway

The hiring of Gerry McNamara, a beloved Syracuse basketball figure, signals the school's commitment to reviving its once-proud program and reconnecting with its storied past. McNamara's success at Siena and his deep ties to the university make him an intriguing choice to lead the Orange back to national prominence.