McNamara Hired! Syracuse Stays in Family, But Is It Smart?

McNamara Takes the Helm at Syracuse, Sparking Debate

Gerry McNamara is the new head coach at Syracuse, and the decision is already stirring up plenty of talk. Many expected the legendary player to take over, but some wonder if it’s the right move for the Orange program. The question on many fans’ minds is whether keeping the coaching job within the familiar “family” is the best way to bring Syracuse back to its winning ways.

A Familiar Face, But a New Direction?

The recent years for Syracuse basketball haven’t been what fans are used to. The era under Red Autry didn’t go as planned, and the final seasons with Jim Boeheim at the helm also saw struggles. Some felt it was time for a complete reset, a fresh start with new ideas and a new leader outside the established coaching tree. The hope was to cut ties with the past and begin a new chapter.

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Jim Boeheim made coaching at Syracuse look easy for a long time. However, the last five seasons have shown a different story, with the team missing the NCAA Tournament. Adding to this, Syracuse hasn’t had a player picked in the first round of the NBA draft since 2017. These facts suggest the program needs to change and adapt to keep up with today’s game.

“I think that place has had to take a hard look at itself. Jim Beahheim, his tenure there made everybody think it was he made it look easy quite frankly. And I think with the last five years not going to the tournament uh have shown them and really they haven’t had a first round pick since 2017 um is that they need to evolve and they need to catch up.”

The Challenge of Staying Insular

Now, the focus shifts to how McNamara will build his team and staff. Syracuse has often been described as an “insular place,” meaning it tends to focus inward. The hope is that he can bring in fresh, outside ideas to help the program grow. A big part of this will be how McNamara himself evolves as a coach, and how the school supports his development.

The ‘Family’ Hire Debate

There’s a common debate in college sports about hiring former players or coaches, often called an “in-house” or “family” hire. Critics argue that this practice drastically limits the pool of potential candidates. It means looking only at people who played for the school, as if being a great player at 18 years old automatically makes you a great coach years later. This approach can shut out many talented individuals who could potentially lead a program to success.

“So generally speaking, I can’t stand the idea where we have to stay in the family or you have to hire an alum like you’ve you’ve just eliminated your uh candidate pool by 99 point something percent. Right? Like I mean it doesn’t you you have to be an elite athlete and you had to have chosen our school when you’re 18 or else you can’t coach here doesn’t really make a lot of sense.”

McNamara’s Potential Impact

Despite the concerns about the hiring philosophy, many people like Gerry McNamara himself. He’s a well-known figure who understands the unique challenges and expectations at Syracuse. His name alone could generate significant excitement among the fanbase. This buzz is crucial for bringing in support, both in terms of fan passion and potential financial backing for the program.

“I will say Jerry McNamera I I like Jerry Mcamera a lot should excite the masses a great deal. um understands a bit of the challenges of Syracuse and what it would take and I think his name’s going to ring out. I think he can get some a lot of excitement which is a big part of this and get some money.”

A Difficult Road Ahead in the ACC

The move to the ACC conference is also seen as a major factor in Syracuse’s recent struggles. Some believe that joining this highly competitive league was a turning point that made success much harder for the Orange program. The conference is filled with strong teams, and consistently competing at the top level presents a significant challenge.

“But straight up to me, Syracuse when they joined the ACC pretty much signed something close to a a death certificate of what their programs are going to”

What’s Next for the Orange?

The hiring of Gerry McNamara marks a new era for Syracuse basketball. While the decision has raised questions about sticking with tradition versus seeking outside innovation, his connection to the program and potential to energize the fanbase are undeniable. The coming seasons will show whether this familiar choice can lead the Orange back to national prominence in the tough ACC.

Source: Syracuse legend Gerry McNamara takes on the head coaching role …NOT the right move 👀 (YouTube)