Syracuse University is working to finalize a deal to hire Gerry McNamara as its next men’s basketball head coach, according to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Thamel reports that Syracuse athletic director Bryan Blair has spoken with McNamara multiple times over the past week, both virtually and in person, as discussions progressed.
McNamara is currently the head coach of Siena men’s basketball, where he has spent the last two seasons. This past year, he led the Saints to a MAAC Championship and a strong NCAA Tournament showing, where the team nearly upset top-seeded Duke last Thursday afternoon.
Before becoming a head coach, McNamara spent more than a decade on the Syracuse bench. From 2011 to 2024, he served as an assistant coach, helping guide the program to nine NCAA Tournament appearances, including Final Four runs in 2013 and 2016.
McNamara is also one of the most accomplished players in program history. As a standout guard for the Orange, he was a two-time First Team All-Big East selection and scored 18 points in Syracuse’s 2003 national championship win over Kansas. He also helped lead the team to back-to-back Big East Tournament titles in 2005 and 2006.
He finished his collegiate career with 2,099 points, ranking fourth all-time in Syracuse men’s basketball history.
No official announcement has been made by the university.
