Siena men’s basketball coach Gerry McNamara could be a top coaching candidate at Syracuse.
Just hours after winning the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title on Tuesday night, the Siena men’s basketball program found itself facing the possibility it could lose second-year coach Gerry McNamara to his alma mater.
McNamara, a former star guard and assistant coach at Syracuse University, is among several candidates rumored to replace Adrian Autry, who was fired Wednesday by the Orange after three seasons.
Siena head coach Gerry McNamara is seen during a basketball game against Rider at MVP Arena on Sunday, March 1, 2026 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Autry went 49-48 over three seasons at Syracuse, which ended its season on Tuesday with a 86-69 loss to SMU in the first round of the ACC Tournament in Charlotte, N.C.
“We are going to move quickly and with purpose,” Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack announced in a school news release. “This is one of the most storied programs in college basketball, and we intend to hire a proven winner who will build on that legacy. We are looking for a coach who can recruit at the highest level, develop players and compete for championships, conference and national. Syracuse fans deserve nothing less, and that is exactly what we are going to deliver.”
Syracuse’s final game ended about 2 ½ hours before Siena tipped off against Merrimack in the MAAC championship game. The Saints prevailed 64-54 to send Siena (23-11) back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010.
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Citing sources, CBS Sports' Matt Norlander reported McNamara is among several names “under consideration,” including St. Louis head coach Josh Schertz, South Florida head coach Bryan Hodgson, UConn assistant coach Luke Murray, Merrimack head coach Joe Gallo, and former Syracuse assistant and Washington head coach Mike Hopkins.
McNamara’s reported candidacy comes as no surprise, given his close ties to Syracuse. Known by his nickname “G-Mac,” McNamara helped lead Syracuse to its first national championship in 2003 as a freshman point guard playing alongside Carmelo Anthony.
“I just ignore it,” McNamara said Wednesday after returning to campus. “Honestly, I ignore it. It’s inevitable with my time spent at Syracuse and the change being made — and us just coming off what we just did — that my name would be tied. I’m not worried about any of that. I love it here. I love this group. I’ve been fully supported since I got my opportunity here. I love the area. I’m not worried about anything else, other than doing the job that I’m hired to do. I feel like we’ve done a pretty good job of that so far.”
McNamara said he spoke Wednesday to his former Syracuse coach, Hall of Famer Jim Boeheim, who congratulated him on the title.
On Wednesday, Boeheim told ESPN Radio in Syracuse that McNamara has already been contacted by Boston College and Georgia Tech about their openings since Siena won Tuesday’s title game.
After a stellar four-year college playing career, McNamara spent 15 seasons on Syracuse’s staff with Boeheim and Autry before leaving to take over Siena in 2024.
Taking over a 4-28 program, McNamara directed Siena to its seventh MAAC title just two years later.
While that makes him an obvious candidate at Syracuse, the school faces the question of if it wants to go with another former Syracuse player and Boeheim assistant right after Autry, who fits the same description, failed to lead Syracuse back to its former heights. Some Syracuse fans on social media have said they would prefer someone outside the Syracuse family to bring a different approach to the program.
McNamara told 104.5 FM in his weekly appearance on Wednesday he was “devastated” by the news of Autry’s firing.
“I’m devastated by it,” McNamara said. “I love him. He’s one of my best friends in the world. … It’s unfortunate. He’s a terrific coach. I’ve got a great appreciation for him and how hard he works, and how much passion he puts into it.”
Siena sophomore guard Gavin Doty, who is from the Syracuse area, said players see McNamara’s name in coaching rumors, but he hasn’t addressed the issue with them.
“We’re not focused on that right now,” Doty said. “We’re just focused on winning games down there in March Madness. I’ve said it before, G-Mac won a national championship as a player, I wouldn’t be surprised if we wins one as a coach someday. Just that kind of guy. He’s just like me. He loves winning. I get emotional thinking about it. I love that guy.”
Wildhack, the Syracuse athletic director, announced in February he is retiring on July 1. Syracuse has yet to name his successor, though the school is targeting Toledo athletic director Bryan Blair, according to multiple reports.
Syracuse promoted J. Michael Haynie to chancellor this month. He has worked at Syracuse since 2006, the year McNamara graduated.
March 11, 2026|Updated March 11, 2026 7:49 p.m.
Mark Singelais covers Siena basketball, UAlbany lacrosse, horse racing and other sports. Contact him at 518-454-5509 or msingelais@timesunion.com.
