The Syracuse Orange are in the middle of a tough stretch, and naturally, the fanbase is starting to ask some big-picture questions - namely, what the future of the program looks like under head coach Adrian Autry. When a storied program like Syracuse hits a skid, the speculation tends to come fast, and one name that keeps surfacing in those conversations is a familiar one: Gerry McNamara.
McNamara, a Syracuse legend as a player and longtime assistant under Jim Boeheim, is now leading the charge at Siena in the MAAC. And he’s doing a solid job - Siena’s having a strong season, which only adds fuel to the idea that G-Mac could be a future candidate for the Orange’s top job.
But if you’re expecting McNamara to fan those flames, think again. When asked recently about Autry - his former colleague and close friend - McNamara didn’t hesitate to show where his loyalty lies.
“I talk to Red all the time,” McNamara said, referring to Autry by his nickname. “That’s my guy.
I haven’t talked to him in a week or two. But yeah, those are as good of friends as I have in life.
Let’s set professionalism aside and what we do for a living. That’s a guy I spent more than a decade working with, a colleague, a guy that lived five houses from me.
A great family friend. Our wives are friends.
His son Trey came to see our team in D.C. I talk to those guys all the time.”
That’s not just coach-speak - that’s real, personal connection. McNamara and Autry weren’t just co-workers on the Syracuse bench; they were neighbors, friends, and part of each other’s extended basketball families. That kind of bond doesn’t fade just because one’s now coaching elsewhere.
It’s also a reminder of how intertwined the Syracuse coaching tree really is. Both McNamara and Autry spent years learning under Boeheim, and when the Hall of Famer stepped down, Autry - the more senior assistant - was the natural choice to take over. The transition made sense, and it was rooted in continuity.
But continuity doesn’t always guarantee immediate results. Syracuse is still searching for its first NCAA Tournament berth under Autry, and a four-game losing streak has only intensified the scrutiny. It’s not an easy spot for any coach, especially one following a legend.
Still, if there’s a silver lining for Autry, it’s knowing that even from outside the program, McNamara is in his corner. That kind of support doesn’t fix a losing streak, but it speaks volumes about the character and culture that still exists around Syracuse basketball - and the relationships that were built long before any of these guys ever sat in the big chair.