With the hiring of Gerry McNamara imminent, we got the TNIAAM staff to provide our initial thoughts and we’d love to hear yours in the comments.
Immediate reaction to Gerry McNamara being named the Orange’s new head coach?
Sam: Hope it works. No other coaching candidate being successful to the same magnitude would be as good for the university as GMac. But no candidate being unsuccessful would be as bad for the university as McNamara being unsuccessful.
Dom: Genuinely was surprised. Even if it wasn’t
a Hodgson or a Luke Murray in the end, I really did think there was enough momentum circulating that a hire outside the Boeheim tree would’ve been made.
Kevin: Emotion won out here. I have no doubt that GMac will put everything into getting this program back, but I wonder if this is the right choice right now. The program has not adjusted to the new era well and this feels like it’s a very risky move that as Sam said could swing wildly in either direction.
Augie: The university wanted to make a move that excited the fans. Clearly, after the game on Thursday against Duke, Orange fans were bought in. Really curious to see how he builds a roster with money to spend as that will be a whole new concept for him.Augie: He brings a reason for fans to once again fill up the Dome. A Syracuse team with (more than likely) Kiyan Anthony, Sadiq White and a whole new roster with Orange legend GMac at the helm is exciting.
What does McNamara bring to the table that changes Syracuse’s trajectory?
Sam: He’s won as a head coach. He’s been a successful leader, and there are reports of an increased NIL budget, which is huge for the program.
Dom: In a small sample size, Siena went from four wins before he got there to 14 last year and now to 23. He clearly is a culture-setter for a program, but also backs it with results. If the NIL expectations are truly better compared to previous years, G-Mac will certainly have the tools to work with.
Kevin: Donors. Simply put, if people were only willing to put money into basketball for him, then that matters. If the people writing checks can get a staff/roster to win, then things can turn quickly. Of course I’d question anyone donating who wouldn’t have committed to Schertz/Hodgson/etc. but that’s passed now.
Augie: He brings a reason for fans to once again fill up the Dome. A Syracuse team with (more than likely) Kiyan Anthony, Sadiq White and a whole new roster with Orange legend GMac at the helm is exciting.
Any concerns with the hire?
Sam: GMac’s teams have not played an analytical rim+3 oriented offense, they play slow. Perhaps that’s just him catering towards his roster, but I’m still skeptical. It’s why I would’ve made my first call (after Schertz and Hodgson) to somebody like Luke Murray, but I think McNamara has every chance to be successful. I’m not as concerned with the “in-the-family” thing because GMac has won.
Dom: Broadly speaking, I think that given where the program’s direction has been heading for the last half-decade, the answer should’ve been outside the institution that got those results in the first place. Offensively, I’m quite excited to see what G-Mac implements since recent Syracuse teams had clear offensive talent, but were arguably never fully unlocked. Even then, G-Mac alone doesn’t solve that issue.
Kevin: Staffing. Sam mentioned the offense which is my biggest issue with the hire, so will GMac go get an offensive mind to install a modern system. It’s not just what we saw at Siena but what we saw the last few years he was on Boeheim’s staff. Syracuse hasn’t run a modern offense and you aren’t winning today just by playing hard.
Augie: Away from the nitty gritty, there is always that thought that Syracuse just made a hire based on a result in one singular game, and a singular game that GMac’s team did not even win. It feels like a very emotional hire, and one that could have been based on less facts and more just feel.
Top offseason priority for McNamara is ______?
Sam: Figure out your staff. I’d assume you’re bringing at least some, if not all, of your Siena staff. If Ben Lee doesn’t get the Siena head coaching job (which should absolutely be a strong consideration), then he should absolutely be the first member of the new Syracuse staff. Hire a GM. Build an ACC top-half roster. Feel free to bring a few of your Siena players (I’d say Gavin Doty and Francis Folefac are the two main ones I’d want to bring, along with recruits Ryan Moesch and Parrish Edmond) but bring in legit dudes out of the portal.
Dom: Bring in a veteran assistant. G-Mac has some coaching experience but the results are so limited. Adding experience on the bench is a top priority. After that, immediately get to work on figuring out who’s worth keeping from the 2025-26 Orange and use the resources at G-Mac’s disposal and go from there.
Kevin: A true #1. Syracuse isn’t going to rise to the top half of the ACC without an All-ACC player. Who is that guy? I don’t think it’s any of Donnie Freeman, Kiyan Anthony, or Gavin Doty so when the portal opens, McNamara better be ready to pounce and land a true alpha.
Augie: Establish an identity away from being a former SU player. Initially people are going to look at GMac as a former SU player, but the reality is he needs to make it known he’s going to lead this team and also lead them to success. He needs to navigate the transfer portal and learn how to wisely spend money.
What are your way-too-early year one expectations for G-Mac?
Sam: Ask me when there’s a staff and roster, but the top half of the ACC and somewhere between 40 and 60 in KenPom is the year-one standard in my opinion.
Dom: Considering how weak the bubble was in 2026, at least being in the conversation in 2027 must be the borderline expectation.
Kevin: Make the NCAA Tournament. Look if this hire is simply because of a commitment of money, then it needs to pay off immediately. There are too many examples of teams turning things around quickly so if GMac is the guy you had to have, then he needs to win.
Augie: Be a top eight seed in the ACC. Sure the conference has some depth, but there were so many winnable games that the Orange dropped this season that they should be expected to win moving forward.
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Now it’s your turn, share your thoughts below
