Overview
- Multiple national outlets report a deal is in the final stages to bring Siena coach Gerry McNamara back to Syracuse, though Siena had not publicly confirmed his departure as of Sunday.
- McNamara led Siena to a 23-12 season, a MAAC tournament title, and a narrow first-round NCAA loss to No. 1 overall seed Duke after leading by double digits at halftime.
- He is 37-30 in two seasons as a head coach and previously spent 15 years on the Orange staff; as a player he was a 2003 national champion whose No. 3 jersey is retired and who holds program records for 3-pointers and minutes.
- If finalized, McNamara would replace Adrian Autry, fired earlier this month after three seasons without an NCAA bid; Syracuse finished 15-17 this year for a second straight losing season and has not reached the tournament since 2021.
- New athletic director Bryan Blair spoke with McNamara multiple times, and school officials emphasized an NIL plan projecting into the ACC’s top third; McNamara’s exit would launch a Siena coaching search and could spur roster moves.