Syracuse Hires Gerry McNamara as New Men's Basketball Coach

Former Orange star player returns to lead program after stint as Siena head coach

Apr. 1, 2026 at 1:48am

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Syracuse University has named Gerry McNamara, a former four-year starter for the Orange, as its new head men's basketball coach. McNamara, who spent the past two seasons as the head coach at Siena College, was introduced at a press conference attended by a roaring crowd of Syracuse fans eager to welcome back one of their own.

Why it matters

McNamara's hiring is seen as a move to reinvigorate the Syracuse basketball program, which has struggled with declining attendance and fan engagement since the retirement of legendary coach Jim Boeheim. As a beloved former player, McNamara is expected to help reconnect the team with the passionate Syracuse fanbase across New York state.

The details

At the press conference, McNamara spoke emotionally about his history with the Syracuse program, recalling his first time walking through the Carrier Dome as a player and envisioning packed crowds and championship runs. Current athletic director Bryan Blair emphasized the university's commitment to supporting the basketball team and 'weaponizing the dome' to create a formidable home-court advantage.

  • Gerry McNamara was hired as the new Syracuse men's basketball head coach on April 1, 2026.
  • McNamara spent the previous two seasons as the head coach at Siena College.

The players

Gerry McNamara

A former four-year starter for the Syracuse Orange men's basketball team, who was recently hired as the new head coach after spending the past two seasons as the head coach at Siena College.

Bryan Blair

The new athletic director at Syracuse University, who emphasized the school's commitment to supporting the basketball program and engaging the passionate fan base.

John Wildhack

The soon-to-be retired athletic director at Syracuse University, who was present at the press conference introducing Gerry McNamara as the new head coach.

J. Michael Haynie

The president of Syracuse University, who was also present at the press conference introducing Gerry McNamara as the new head coach.

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What they’re saying

“It's terrifying, I know, but 26 years ago, the first time I walked through Gate A and saw the dome for the first time, I went home and my imagination ran wild, envisioning a packed house, championships, making threes, hopefully make making threes. And I'll tell you what happened. I came here and for the next four years, coach, what happened? Packed house, championships, and threes, a lot of them.”

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

“We're committed to making sure our program has the support. We're committed to weaponizing the dome. We're committed to Gerry McNamara.”

— Bryan Blair, Athletic Director, Syracuse University

“I was just up in Albany. There's a lot of fans that follow Siena that love Syracuse as well. Rochester does. There's a lot of great areas that are within striking distance that like this is a big deal.”

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

What’s next

McNamara will immediately begin recruiting and preparing for the upcoming season, with the goal of restoring the Syracuse basketball program to its former glory and reconnecting with the passionate fan base across New York state.

The takeaway

Gerry McNamara's return to Syracuse as the new head men's basketball coach represents an opportunity to reignite the team's connection with its devoted fanbase and revitalize a program that has struggled in recent years. As a beloved former player, McNamara is expected to bring a renewed energy and commitment to Syracuse basketball that could help the team regain its status as a perennial powerhouse.