Gerry McNamara Returns to Syracuse as Head Coach

On March 23rd, Syracuse Basketball is on the verge of hiring Jerry McNamara as its next head coach.

The 42-year-old star from the Orange's 2003 national championship team is finalizing a deal,

according to reports. McNamara is shown as the starting point guard during that title run

and holds school records for three pointers made, attempts, free throw percentage, and minutes played.

He spent the last two seasons leading Sienna to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2010.

As a number 16 seed, they nearly upset top-seated Duke in the first round,

falling 71 to 65. Before Sienna, McNamara coached as an assistant at Syracuse for 15 years

under Jim Bohim and Adrian Autry. Syracuse fired Autry earlier this month after three seasons

without a tournament birth. That's part of a five-year drought, the program's longest since the late

1960s and early 1970s. Fans remember McNamara's jersey retirement last year and his perfect start

in all 135 college games. School leaders stress a strong push in name, image, and likeness funding

to compete in the top third of Atlantic Coast Conference programs. McNamara Hell talks,

both virtual and in-person, with athletic director Brian Blair over the past week.

This move brings a familiar face back home, aiming to end the slump and revive Syracuse's glory days

on the court.