Syracuse Welcomes Back Legendary Player McNamara as New Head Coach

The former star player returns to lead the Orange basketball program after two decades away.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 2:36am

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An abstract, expressionist painting featuring dynamic, neon-colored brushstrokes and fragmented basketball players, conveying the raw energy and excitement surrounding Gerry McNamara's return as the new Syracuse basketball coach.The electric atmosphere at Syracuse's celebration of Gerry McNamara's homecoming as the new head basketball coach reflects the high hopes for his ability to restore the program to its former glory.Scranton Today

Syracuse University celebrated the return of former basketball star Gerry McNamara as the new head coach of the men's basketball team. McNamara, a native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, led the Orange to a national championship in 2002 alongside Carmelo Anthony. After a successful stint as an assistant coach, McNamara has now been tasked with reviving the struggling program and returning it to national prominence.

Why it matters

McNamara's homecoming is a significant event for the Syracuse community, as he is a beloved figure from the program's glory days. His appointment as head coach represents an opportunity to reignite fan enthusiasm and rebuild the team into an ACC and national contender after several down seasons.

The details

Over 2,000 fans packed the JMA Wireless Dome's Miron Victory Court to welcome McNamara back to Syracuse. Athletic Director Bryan Blair praised McNamara's character and leadership, noting his ability to thrive in the high-pressure environment of coaching the Orange. McNamara, who is just 42 years old, inherits a team that has struggled in recent years, failing to make the NCAA Tournament for the past five seasons.

  • McNamara led Syracuse to the national championship in 2002.
  • He has spent the past several years as an assistant coach, most recently at Siena College.
  • McNamara was officially introduced as the new head coach on March 31, 2026.

The players

Gerry McNamara

A former star player for Syracuse University, McNamara returns to his alma mater as the new head coach of the men's basketball team. He led the Orange to a national championship in 2002 alongside Carmelo Anthony.

Carmelo Anthony

A former Syracuse basketball star who won a national championship with Gerry McNamara in 2002. Anthony is now a prominent alum and fan of the program.

Bryan Blair

The Director of Athletics at Syracuse University, who introduced McNamara as the new head coach and praised his leadership abilities.

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What they’re saying

“We chose Gerry McNamara to be the next leader of our men's basketball program. And for the third time in his life, Gerry McNamara and his family chose Syracuse. I need everybody in this room to choose this moment and make sure we take this moment and create some momentum. So please stand up and a loud ovation for your next mens basketball coach Gerry McNamara.”

— Bryan Blair, Syracuse Director of Athletics

“It's like an old Georgetown game where people could even see the court i am looking back here Again, I can't even tell you how honored and how blessed I am, for this moment to be here. It really is kind of a dream come true for us.”

— Gerry McNamara, Syracuse Coach

“You know, I understand that we need to get back but I already kind of put a lot of pressure on myself and have high expectations of what we're capable of doing.”

— Gerry McNamara, Syracuse Coach

What’s next

McNamara will immediately begin preparing for the upcoming season, looking to restore Syracuse as a national power in college basketball.

The takeaway

McNamara's return to Syracuse represents a homecoming for a beloved figure who hopes to revive the program's fortunes and recapture the magic of the 2002 national championship team he was a part of. His appointment has generated significant excitement among the Orange faithful, who are eager to see the team return to prominence under his leadership.