Coach Search Options after Autry

[anglerman]

People are saying that SU is unattractive because of our “public image”. I’m saying that up until 45 minutes ago PC’s public image was dog water.

“Public image” is only as important as the bag you give your next HC. It’s not a deterrent to hiring a HC.

Our public image ??? What dose that mean ? Do you mean the program with the highest attendance in the country ? That’s what’s called a Bigtime program.

 

[pearl31]

I prefer someone outside of Gerry mainly just because of JB, but he is getting some unwarranted criticism just because he has ties to the previous two regimes. He does run decent offense at times. There would need to be a focus on getting more shooting.

yes

 

[TrickySU]

This is true now, but it may be worth mentioning it's only true because their offensive struggles against Duke was enough to move them up 20 spots because it was against Duke lol. Pretty much whoever had won the MAAC tournament was going to end up #1 in the conference just because they got to play a 1 seed to inflate their ranking relative to the rest of the conference.

Somewhat fair point. Can’t check Ken Pom, but Bart Torvik still had Siena as the most efficient offense in the MAAC on selection Sunday. They have since moved from 204 to 190. I think the point still stands that relative to their conference, they were at the top.

 

[cusefan88]

If you can't get Schertz, Calhoun, or Martelli Jr then I'm fine with Gerry. I do think those three are better candidates than him. Gerry is much better than Shaheen or Skinn.

 

[pearl31]

If you can't get Schertz, Calhoun, or Martelli Jr then I'm fine with Gerry. I do think those three are better candidates than him. Gerry is much better than Shaheen or Skinn.

exactly where I'm at

 

[Cusefan0307]

Anyone who wants Shaheen or Skinn is nuts. Offensively challenged coaches that run high ball screens 40 times a game.

 

[Scooch]

One thing I’m very sure of is that whomever we hire is going to “crush” the press conference and get people swooning. Because that’s what always happen for every new SU hire.

 

[JimBoston]

I predicted Murray before tourney started. His name hasn’t come up lately at all but maybe there’s still some smoke there.

This is Syracuse. You can't hire an unproven assistant coach. Didn't we just learn that lesson?

 

[RF2044]

Right. Here’s the point: These ratings largely coincide with talent, but some teams play above their talent level and some teams play below. So for teams that are peer schools or relatively close in terms of talent, comparing these metrics is a great way to separate.

But comparing schools that are far apart in talent levels is a horrible way to try and determine who the better coach is.

Generally the team with more talent will have better metrics. So don’t compare teams that are in different playing fields recruiting wise.

That’s why I would say despite Saint Louis being ranked outside the Top 30, I think Schertz is an elite coach. Even though his team’s metrics won’t be anywhere near the top of the list. I’m not going to compare him to Michigan. Makes no sense to when the talent is just different.

Hopefully that makes sense.

Do you remember Drake last year [in 2025]? They had a fantastic head coach -- Ben McCollum, who many compare to Scherz in terms of upside. McCollum parlayed his one year at Drake into moving to Iowa.

Prior to Ben McCollum's first year at Drake, he'd been tremendously successful at the D2 level. Brought a bunch of D2 players up with him when he took the Drake job, and they ended up playing key roles. They play in the MVC -- not a top conference.

Drake was supposed to be the type of team that P4 schools schedule to get an easy non-conference win, a tomato can. But with a bunch of D2 players playing big minutes, they beat Miami, Vanderbilt, and Kansas State all on the road.

They beat Missouri in the first round of the NCAAT. And they played pretty even with #3 seed Texas Tech before folding late.

They were ranked about [and please note, this might not have been the final rankings, just what I quickly looked up] #62 in KenPom in 2025. But they weren't held back by their conference, or their players. They were an example of a lower conference team playing FAR above their station, and rising in the rankings accordingly.

GMac did a nice job at Siena this year. But if you look at the winning percentages of the MAAC teams, most of them have losing records. He only beat 2 or 3 teams over .500 all year. He finished third in that conference. And then had a depleted team playing hard, and put together a great final week of the season. That is impressive. But it doesn't offset other things that are cause for concern, because empirical data is objective.

 

[Melancer46]

Somewhat fair point. Can’t check Ken Pom, but Bart Torvik still had Siena as the most efficient offense in the MAAC on selection Sunday. They have since moved from 204 to 190. I think the point still stands that relative to their conference, they were at the top.

I agree with the overall point that Gerry has inarguably done a good job there (and on the flip side, Autry did not here).

 

[721Comstock]

This is Syracuse. You can't hire an unproven assistant coach. Didn't we just learn that lesson?

Cough, cough - Fran Brown - cough, cough.

 

[pearl31]

and there do seem to be indications that due dilligence is being performed, so while certain uh influences might be unfortunate (if completely expected) I'm not really sure why ppl are throwing tantrums

 

[AZOrange]

and there do seem to be indications that due dilligence is being performed, so while certain uh influences might be unfortunate (if not completely expected) I'm not really sure why ppl are throwing tantrums

People are overthinking everything

 

[RF2044]

If you can't get Schertz, Calhoun, or Martelli Jr then I'm fine with Gerry. I do think those three are better candidates than him. Gerry is much better than Shaheen or Skinn.

I don't know enough about Martelli -- but in the limited sample size of seeing his team knock off UNC the other day, they played pretty darn well.

Do bloodlines work for coaches?

 

[elimunelson]

The one thing I cannot stand that’s percolating through former players, Julie, etc - is the notion of keeping it in the family or that there’s a “Syracuse way”

There’s only been JAB and then we kept it in the family and it sucked.

There’s no “this is how we do it” … the one time we did it the way they are advocating, it got us here

I’m all in on getting the best available HC (and maybe that’s Gerry) but can we please dispense with the JAB ego propping

Autry sucked

Just like Doherty sucked at UNC but Roy didn’t. Context matters

 

[Marsh01]

One thing regardless of who we hire is we cant continue to whiff when it comes to portal additions. The past 2 seasons have really been disasters (coupled with poor play from our supposed better players who we overpaid to keep). I watch all of these teams and most if not all of them who are in the tournament have made good decisions with their money. Some with far less than we have to offer

I look at the womens side. FLG did a helluva job this season with the money she had to work with and who she was able to bring in.

Nothing against our old GM but we cant continue to swing and miss like we have.

 

[OptimusOtto]

One thing I’m very sure of is that whomever we hire is going to “crush” the press conference and get people swooning. Because that’s what always happen for every new SU hire.

I feel seen - GMac is lower on my list but when he's inevitably hired and the intro video shows him slapping the Garden floor after the steal and Devo layup against GTown in the BET I will be all in.

 

[Biaxtar]

Im just curious. Doesn't mean I disagree, but why is GMAC better? Not a lot of experience, and one almost won over Duke. Also, if he is hired, we are going to have some pretty lackluster assistants.

My other concern is what kids really want to play for him. A bunch of NIL is only half the battle.

I think getting a coach with more experience is the right call, even if it is Skinn. But if the powers within make that impossible I guess GMAC could be worse. But would still be a giant let down having JB 2.0

 

[Yegorange]

BH to Providence only confirms he wasn’t one of our final candidates. And also seems to prove he isn’t as highly rated as proclaimed … including by himself and his circle. The leak of his turning down the SU offer for whatever reasons clearly comes directly from him. No way this breaks exactly the day before his NCAAT opener without his approval. BS clumsy attempt to boost his image and save face ahead of our hire - when it’d be clear to all he wasn’t even a finalist here.

 

[elimunelson]

My two personal interactions with JB were pleasant / enjoyable but man he can be insufferable.

Every interaction I had with was painful and awkward. Doesn’t make him less of a hof coach

 

[BEGood]

So question. Does sienna win their conference tournament with autry coaching you think?

 

[Lord Ashby]

I agree with the overall point that Gerry has inarguably done a good job there (and on the flip side, Autry did not here).

I want Martelli Jr. Just so our new AD can give JAB's office and car to Martelli Sr. and tear down his coaching tree once and for all.

 

[pearl31]

Nothing against our old GM but we cant continue to swing and miss like we have.

eh the only miss was George and that was only in how much we paid for him

 

[JarHeadJim]

Where else is he going? It's pretty much stay at siena or come here.

BC, GTech

 

[Briancuse]

I know Jeremy is probably busy with the lax game. But will there be fun today?