Gerry McNamara Reportedly to Sign Syracuse HC Contract, Won NCAA Title with Carmelo Anthony, Orange
Syracuse's prodigal son is reportedly coming home.
According to ESPN's Pete Thamel and Jeff Borzello, the Orange are working to finalize a deal to hire Siena head coach Gerry McNamara as their next head coach. McNamara starred for Syracuse from 2002 to 2006 and was a part of the team's 2003 national championship.
A former point guard, McNamara still holds the program record for made three-pointers and minutes played. He was a three-time All-Big East selection, and his No. 3 jersey was retired by the Orange.
Before taking over at Siena, McNamara had served on Syracuse's coaching staff since 2009, starting out as a graduate assistant before becoming an assistant coach under the legendary Jim Boeheim. Following Boeheim's retirement in 2023, McNamara was promoted to associate head coach under new head coach Adrian Autry for the 2023-24 campaign before leaving for Siena at the end of the year.
After going 14-18 in his first year, McNamara coached the Saints to a 23-12 record this season and a MAAC tournament title for their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010. Siena put up a strong fight against No. 1 Duke before eventually losing, becoming the first 16-seed in NCAA Tournament history to lead a 1-seed by double digits at halftime.
After Autry was fired earlier this month when the Orange fell short of the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season, it seemed like McNamara was the clear favorite to fill the position. Thamel and Borzello reported that sources said Syracuse athletic director Bryan Blair "spoke to McNamara multiple times over the last week, including both virtually and in person."
McNamara will have some work to do to lead the Orange back to national prominence, as they're coming off consecutive losing seasons for the first time since 1967-68. Sources told Thamel and Borzello that Syracuse officials "stressed during the process a commitment to NIL that projects in the top third of the ACC," so it sounds like he will have the support he needs to rebuild his alma mater into a national powerhouse.
