Syracuse AD John Wildhack Nearing Retirement, But Big Decision on Adrian Autry Still Looms
Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack is set to retire on July 1, but before he rides off into the sunset, he’s got one more major call to make-maybe two. At the center of it all is the future of men’s basketball head coach Adrian Autry, and Wildhack made it clear: even in his final months, he’s the one holding the clipboard on this decision.
“Any time you make a coaching move, there’s a recommendation process,” Wildhack said. “But I’m here until July 1, so you’re talking to him.”
Translation: He’s still in charge, and if a decision is going to be made about Autry’s future, it’ll come from Wildhack.
Syracuse is in a bit of a leadership limbo right now. Not only is Wildhack on his way out, but Chancellor Kent Syverud is also a lame duck, with the university actively searching for his successor.
That kind of transition at the top could tempt some programs to hit pause on big moves. But when asked if Syracuse might delay any decisions until the new leadership is in place, Wildhack didn’t hesitate: “No.”
He’s not interested in hypotheticals, either. Asked whether he’d be involved in a coaching search if Autry is let go, Wildhack shut it down.
“We have a month left in the basketball season,” he said. “We have the regular season and the ACC Tournament.
I’m not going to do anything until I see the results of this season.”
And that’s where things get tricky.
Syracuse is sitting at 13-11 overall and 4-7 in the ACC. That’s not the kind of record that gets you into the NCAA Tournament, and it’s not the kind of season that meets the expectations Wildhack laid out last spring-namely, that the Orange should be “playing meaningful games in March.”
This could end up being the fifth straight year Syracuse misses the NCAA Tournament. That hasn’t happened since the late 1960s and early ’70s, back when the tournament field was less than half the size it is now. Three of those seasons have come under Autry, who’s now 47-42 in a little over two years at the helm.
To be fair, Wildhack isn’t closing the book just yet. He’s still watching, still evaluating, and still holding out for a possible late-season spark.
“The criteria hasn’t changed since the spring,” he said. “Adrian and I have met.
We’ve discussed it. Our margin for error is incredibly thin, but I’m not going to say, ‘There’s no chance whatsoever so let’s throw in the towel.’
I understand the scale. I understand it’s a high mountain to climb.”
It’s a steep climb, no doubt. But Wildhack isn’t rushing to judgment.
He pointed out that, unlike football, in-season coaching changes in college basketball are rare. The recruiting and transfer cycles don’t create the same kind of urgency, which gives programs a little more breathing room to evaluate the full season before making a call.
So, what if Syracuse makes a surprise run in the ACC Tournament? Would that count as “meaningful games in March”?
“If you make a really good run in the ACC Tournament, you’ve probably got a pretty good basketball team,” Wildhack said, sidestepping the question but leaving the door open just enough.
As of now, there’s been no contact with search firms and no search committee in place. Wildhack says he’s laid out expectations clearly and plans to support Autry, his staff, and the players through the rest of the season.
But make no mistake-whether Syracuse finishes strong or fades down the stretch, the decision on Autry’s future is coming. And it’s coming from Wildhack.
Even as his own clock winds down, he’s not passing the baton just yet.