Gerry McNamara wants you to know that he’s here to win. It’s who he is. And it’s who he’ll always be.
For 17 minutes on Monday afternoon McNamara spoke with confidence and conviction. Confidence in himself and the people around him. Conviction that he can get the Syracuse basketball program to where it needs to be. If there were a figure in Syracuse basketball history that had the ability to instill belief and unify a fanbase, McNamara would seemingly be the man for the job.
Syracuse University officially
ushered in the “McNamERA” on Monday with a welcome back event from Miron Victory Court. Syracuse supporters packed the event and spilled onto the staircases the lead to the 300 level inside JMA Wireless Dome to catch a glimpse of the introductory event with a pep rally-like feel.
Following opening remarks from Chief Communications Officer Jeff Stoecker, outgoing athletic director John Wildhack, chancellor elect Mike Haynie and incoming athletic director Bryan B. Blair, McNamara eventually took the podium. At 33 minutes in supporters finally heard from the man of the hour. Dressed in a full suit with an orange tie, McNamara met the moment with alacrity. Was there any doubt he’d win the press conference?
As McNamara stepped in front of the microphone chants of “Ger-ry! Ger-ry!” broke out as if it were the mid-aughts.
“I love you Gerry!” One fan shouted before McNamara began his speech.
The new head coach played off of it.
“I love you too and you know it,” McNamara said with a smile.
McNamara, with his communication being impactful, spoke with a sincerity and intensity that resonated. He began by thanking those who have helped him along his journey. He thanked the Siena community and his players. He recognized former teammates and mentors. He was overcome with emotion when it came time to acknowledge his mother and father, the two people who have been with him the whole way.
McNamara was choked up as he recalled one of the best moments of his life — the moment he informed his parents of the next step on his journey. He FaceTimed his mother and father before finalizing the paperwork to take over basketball coaching duties at his alma mater.
“I’m about to sign a contract to be the head coach at Syracuse University,” McNamara recalled as his eyes welled up.
McNamara shared what it was like being the youngest of four children growing up in Scranton, Pa. He acknowledged his siblings.
“Timmy kicked my rear end the majority of my young life,” McNamara quipped.
Lastly, McNamara thanked his wife Katie. The two have lived in Greece, Bakersfield, Reno, Latvia, Loudonville and Syracuse. He wanted to acknowledged her sacrifices.
“Our happiness is simple because you make it so easy for us to be happy,” McNamara said.
McNamara showed range when he mixed in some humor involving new AD Blair. McNamara remarked how the two are both competitors and are aligned in one of their interests outside of athletics. McNamara said he and Blair both like to fish before making a Step Brothers reference.
“If this dude listens to Pearl Jam we might as well go do karate in the garage together,” McNamara joked.
Blair would say later he does not listen to Pearl Jam.
“I do love to fish. I do love to hunt. And,” Blair said. “I do love to win.”
McNamara’s former head coach Jim Boeheim was in the building on Monday. McNamara recalled his time as a high school player when he was first visiting Syracuse during summer basketball camp. McNamara said he knew instantly where he was going when he saw the Carrier JMA Wireless Dome for the first time. He had a vision for his time at Syracuse.
“That was the first time you saw me, coach,” McNamara said as he pointed to his former coach in the crowd. “I knew right away. I’m coming to school here.”
Boeheim would later express his belief in McNamara.
“He’s special. He’s proven himself. He’s got a big, big hill to climb. But he’ll do what it takes to get there,” Boeheim said. “Since I met him when he was 17 years old he wanted to compete. He wanted to win. And it was always winning, that’s all he talked about. He’ll win.”
After that trip to Syracuse and seeing the dome at 17, McNamara said he went home and his imagination ran wild. He imagining a packed house, championships and a lot of threes. Those things would later come to fruition. McNamara talked about something he could not foresee, however.
“What happened was my love,” McNamara said. “My love grew for the people of this city, for the University that gave me an opportunity to showcase my gifts on the biggest stage.”
McNamara’s tone began to shift.
“And I knew one day that it was going to be difficult to leave here,” McNamara said. “So I didn’t. And I don’t plan on it anytime soon.”
With that, the preamble was done. It was time to get down to business. McNamara’s tone went from sentimental to serious.
“Now here’s the reality. Alright? We’ve got work to do. We do,” McNamara asserted.
Next, he said, he’ll put together an “elite staff” before bringing in talent. He noted the transfer portal opens the day after the National Championship game. He’s going to start re-recruiting the current Syracuse roster.
“The cupboard ain’t bare here guys,” McNamara said. “I watched this group, there’s some talent with this roster.”
McNamara stopped short of saying his Syracuse teams will play fast. Instead, he preferred the word efficient. He wants his teams to play smart, value the basketball, to be tough, resilient and high character. McNamara said he demands respect and maturity from his players and if they give him that they’ll work together just fine. He promised that every team he coaches at Syracuse will be prepared and ready to play.
“Make no mistake. You know why I’m here,” McNamara said before a long pause.
McNamara waited for Syracuse supporters to fill in the gaps.
“Anybody that knows me knows why I’m here,” McNamara said.
McNamara spoke with full conviction.
“I’m here to win,” McNamara proclaimed. “It’s who I am. And it’s who I will always be.”
McNamara had just five more words that stirred up similar feelings to the 2006 Big East Tournament run.
“Let’s get this thing goin,” McNamara finished.
If Syracuse had waited two more years and kept the concrete wall intact between Miron Victory Court and the JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse supporters would’ve ran through it.
