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

The 42-year-old returns to lead the program where he starred as a player and later served as an assistant coach.

Mar. 25, 2026 at 4:50pm

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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, replaces Adrian Autry after a three-season tenure that saw the program miss the NCAA tournament. McNamara spent 15 years on the Orange coaching staff before serving as head coach at Siena for the past two seasons.

Why it matters

McNamara's return to Syracuse is seen as a pivotal move to help the storied program regain its footing in the rapidly evolving college basketball landscape. As a player and assistant coach, McNamara was closely tied to the program's success, and his reputation as a strong recruiter and player developer is expected to help Syracuse rebuild and compete at a high level.

The details

After a three-season tenure that saw Syracuse miss the NCAA tournament, the school has turned to one of its own to lead the men's basketball program. Gerry McNamara, a former standout guard who was a key player on Syracuse's 2003 national championship team, has been named the new head coach. The 42-year-old McNamara spent 15 years on the Orange coaching staff before serving as head coach at Siena for the past two seasons, where he led the program to a conference title and NCAA tournament appearance.

  • In 2023, McNamara's No. 3 jersey was retired by Syracuse.
  • McNamara spent 15 years on the Syracuse coaching staff before becoming Siena's head coach in 2024.
  • Siena made the NCAA tournament in 2026 under McNamara's leadership.

The players

Gerry McNamara

A former standout guard for Syracuse who was a key player on the school's 2003 national championship team. He later spent 15 years on the Orange coaching staff before becoming the head coach at Siena, where he led the program to a conference title and NCAA tournament appearance.

Adrian Autry

The previous head coach of the Syracuse men's basketball team, whose three-season tenure ended with a 49-48 record and the program's longest NCAA tournament drought since the late 1960s.

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 Head Coach

“Gerry's leadership and ability to elevate those around him make him the perfect choice to lead our men's basketball program.”

— Bryan Blair, Incoming Athletic Director

“Gerry's trust-building and program-building skills are defining traits that will serve him well in this role.”

— John Wildhack, Outgoing Athletic Director

What’s next

McNamara will begin assembling his coaching staff and recruiting players to help rebuild the Syracuse program.

The takeaway

McNamara's return to Syracuse represents a homecoming for a beloved figure who is tasked with reviving a storied program that has fallen on hard times. His reputation as a strong recruiter and player developer, combined with his deep ties to the university, make him an intriguing choice to lead the Orange back to prominence in the ever-changing landscape of college basketball.