Syracuse Considers Beloved Alum Gerry McNamara as Next Basketball Coach

The former Orange star's success at Siena has sparked calls for him to return and lead his alma mater's program.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:58pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game or match, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of vibrant color, creating a dynamic, abstract visual representation of the sport.The potential hiring of a beloved former player like Gerry McNamara could reshape the future of Syracuse basketball in a bold, new direction.Syracuse Today

Syracuse University is weighing whether to hire former player Gerry McNamara as the next head coach of its men's basketball team. McNamara, who led the Orange to a national championship as a player in 2003, has gained attention for his work turning around the Siena Saints program, nearly upsetting Duke in the NCAA Tournament. While McNamara's local ties and ability to inspire players have endeared him to the Syracuse fanbase, the decision by new athletic director Bryan Blair will have significant implications for the program's future competitiveness in the ACC.

Why it matters

The choice of Syracuse's next head coach is a pivotal moment that could define the program's identity and success for years to come. McNamara's potential hiring would tap into the passion of the Orange fanbase, but Blair must also weigh the long-term resources and strategy needed to make Syracuse nationally competitive again in the ACC.

The details

After leading Siena to a surprise NCAA Tournament appearance and nearly upsetting Duke, Gerry McNamara has emerged as a leading candidate to become the next head coach of the Syracuse Orange men's basketball team. McNamara, a beloved figure in Syracuse history as the starting point guard on the 2003 national championship team, has proven his coaching chops by transforming Siena from a four-win team to a tournament contender in just a few seasons.

  • McNamara's Siena Saints nearly upset Duke in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
  • Syracuse fired longtime head coach Jim Boeheim in March 2026 after 45 seasons.
  • Bryan Blair was named the new Syracuse athletic director in April 2026.

The players

Gerry McNamara

A former Syracuse basketball star who is now the head coach of the Siena Saints, McNamara is considered a leading candidate to become the next head coach of the Orange.

Bryan Blair

The newly appointed athletic director at Syracuse University, Blair will be responsible for making the decision on the program's next head coach.

Gavin Doty

A highly touted high school basketball recruit from the Syracuse area, Doty's potential return to play for the Orange is seen as an added incentive for hiring McNamara.

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What they’re saying

“Gerry McNamara has proven he can get the most out of his players and inspire them to play above their talent level. That's exactly what Syracuse needs right now.”

— Brent Axe, Syracuse Basketball Analyst

“If Syracuse can bring Gerry McNamara home, it would be a homecoming that could reignite the passion of the Orange fanbase and set the program up for long-term success.”

— Jim Boeheim, Former Syracuse Head Coach

What’s next

Athletic director Bryan Blair is expected to make a decision on Syracuse's next head coach in the coming weeks, with McNamara considered the leading internal candidate.

The takeaway

The choice of Syracuse's next head coach will be a pivotal moment that could define the program's identity and competitiveness for years to come. While McNamara's local ties and ability to inspire players make him an appealing option, new AD Bryan Blair must also weigh the long-term resources and strategy needed to return Syracuse to national prominence in the ACC.