Former Syracuse Star Gerry McNamara Named Men's Basketball Head Coach

McNamara returns to lead the Orange after successful stint as Siena head coach.

Mar. 25, 2026 at 1:50pm

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Syracuse University has named former standout guard Gerry McNamara as its new men's basketball head coach. The 42-year-old McNamara, who was a key player on Syracuse's 2003 national championship team, returns to the program after spending 15 years on the coaching staff and two seasons as the head coach at Siena, where he led the team to the NCAA Tournament.

Why it matters

McNamara's hiring represents a homecoming for the former Orange star, who is tasked with reviving a Syracuse program that has struggled in recent years, missing the NCAA Tournament for several consecutive seasons. His strong recruiting and player development skills are expected to help the team regain its footing in the rapidly evolving college basketball landscape.

The details

After a three-season tenure under Adrian Autry that saw Syracuse go 49-48 and miss the NCAA Tournament, the school has turned to one of its own in McNamara. The 42-year-old spent 15 years on the Orange coaching staff, helping mentor future NBA players, before taking over as head coach at Siena in 2024. In his second season with the Saints, McNamara led the team to a 23-12 record, a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament title, and the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010.

  • McNamara was named Syracuse's new head coach on March 25, 2026.
  • He spent 15 years on the Orange coaching staff prior to becoming Siena's head coach in 2024.
  • McNamara led Siena to the NCAA Tournament in the 2025-26 season, his second year as head coach.

The players

Gerry McNamara

A former standout guard for Syracuse, McNamara was a key player on the team's 2003 national championship squad. He later spent 15 years on the Orange coaching staff before becoming the head coach at Siena, where he led the team to the NCAA Tournament in 2026.

Adrian Autry

The previous head coach of the Syracuse men's basketball team, Autry compiled a 49-48 record over three seasons before his tenure ended.

Carmelo Anthony

A former Syracuse star who played alongside McNamara on the 2003 national championship team.

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What they’re saying

“I love this place. I love what Syracuse means to the fans, to the players who have worn this jersey, to the people of central New York. This program has given me everything, and I am ready to give everything back to it. College basketball has changed. How you build a program, recruit talent, compete for resources and win looks different than it did even five years ago. I know that. I'm ready for it. What hasn't changed is what Orange Nation expects, and what this place deserves. We are going to build something special here.”

— Gerry McNamara, New Syracuse Men's Basketball Head Coach

What’s next

McNamara will begin assembling his coaching staff and recruiting players to help revive the Syracuse program, with the goal of leading the team back to the NCAA Tournament in the coming seasons.

The takeaway

Gerry McNamara's return to Syracuse as the new men's basketball head coach represents a homecoming for the former Orange star, who is tasked with rebuilding a program that has struggled in recent years. His strong recruiting and player development skills, as well as his deep ties to the university, make him an intriguing choice to help the team regain its footing in the evolving college basketball landscape.