Syracuse Basketball Adds Daly, Lee, and Onuaku to Coaching Staff

New assistants bring wealth of experience and diverse skills to the Orange program

Apr. 13, 2026 at 12:40am

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A cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes in shades of orange and blue, with the silhouettes of basketball players and a hoop emerging from the abstract composition, conceptually representing the diverse coaching expertise joining the Syracuse program.The new coaching staff additions bring a wealth of experience and diverse skills to the Syracuse basketball program, promising to elevate the team's performance and competitiveness.Syracuse Today

The Syracuse men's basketball program has bolstered its coaching staff with the addition of three new assistant coaches: Ryan Daly, Ben Lee, and Arinze Onuaku. This move, announced by Coach Gerry McNamara, brings a wealth of experience and a diverse range of skills to the team. Each new coach brings a unique perspective and a proven track record of success, which promises to enhance the program's performance and competitiveness in the upcoming season.

Why it matters

The additions of Daly, Lee, and Onuaku to the Syracuse coaching staff are expected to have a significant impact on the team's performance and competitiveness in the ACC. Their combined expertise in coaching, player development, and strategic understanding of the game will undoubtedly strengthen the program and help the Orange achieve greater success in the upcoming season.

The details

Ryan Daly, a versatile assistant, brings experience from Bryant and Albany, where he contributed to successful seasons and tournament appearances. Ben Lee, a turnaround specialist, helped Siena achieve a 10-win improvement and a MAAC Tournament title in his first season. Arinze Onuaku, a player-coach with a diverse background, has served as a youth basketball trainer, assistant coach, and head coach, and had a successful playing career at Syracuse.

  • The coaching staff additions were announced on April 13, 2026.

The players

Ryan Daly

A versatile assistant coach who has worked at Bryant and Albany, contributing to successful seasons and tournament appearances.

Ben Lee

A turnaround specialist who helped Siena achieve a 10-win improvement and a MAAC Tournament title in his first season as an assistant coach.

Arinze Onuaku

A player-coach with a diverse background, having served as a youth basketball trainer, assistant coach, and head coach, and had a successful playing career at Syracuse.

Gerry McNamara

The head coach of the Syracuse men's basketball program, who announced the addition of the three new assistant coaches.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to welcome Ryan, Ben, and Arinze to our coaching staff. Their diverse experiences and proven track records of success will be invaluable assets as we continue to build a championship-caliber program.”

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

What’s next

The new coaching staff will begin working with the team immediately, focusing on player development, strategic planning, and preparing for the upcoming season.

The takeaway

The addition of these three experienced and talented coaches to the Syracuse basketball program is a clear indication of the team's commitment to excellence and its desire to build a championship-caliber program. Their diverse backgrounds and proven track records of success are expected to have a significant impact on the team's performance and competitiveness in the ACC.