Syracuse AD has strong stance on hiring of Gerry McNamara as next basketball coach

McNamara, 42, was a part of Syracuse's 2003 national championship team alongside Carmelo Anthony. He then worked as an assistant at Syracuse for multiple seasons under Boeheim and one under Autry.

McNamara got the head-coaching gig at Siena in 2024 and has been there for the past two seasons, but now he's coming back home to New York.

"Gerry McNamara is who our storied basketball program needs at this important moment," Bryan B. Blair, incoming director of athletics, said in a statement released by the school. "In every conversation, his competitive fire and passion was undeniable—it's simply part of his DNA. He returns to Syracuse as a proven Division I head coach who led a program through a turnaround and back to the NCAA Tournament. At every stop in his playing and coaching journey, he has elevated those around him—student-athletes, staff and the broader community—through his energy, his standards and his ability to connect. While Gerry's deep connection to Syracuse is meaningful, it's simply a bonus to what he brings as a coach and leader. He honors our past, but he is driven to build for the future. This is a critical moment for Syracuse basketball, and it will take all of us—everyone connected to Syracuse University, Syracuse Athletics and Central New York—locking arms and supporting this program like never before. We welcome Gerry home and can't wait to see where he takes our program."

McNamara is from Scranton, Pennsylvania. As a player, he was a four-year starter for the Orange (2002 to 2006) and is still the program's all-time career leader in made three-pointers (400), free-throw percentage (.888) and minutes played (4,799).

Gerry McNamara is a Syracuse basketball legend 

He's a Syracuse legend, and he proved himself as a head coach over the past two seasons at Siena. He went 37-30 over two seasons while winning the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference this past season and earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

As a No. 16-seed in the East region, McNamara's Saints gave No. 1 overall seed Duke a scare in the first round, ultimately losing, 71-65, to the Blue Devils.

During his time as an assistant under Boeheim, McNamara was credited with the development of Michal Carter-Williams, Dion Waters and Tyler Ennis, who all went from Syracuse to the NBA.

This program has given me everything, and I am ready to give everything back to it," McNamara said,