Gerry McNamara needs to be the next coach

[Fly Rodder]

The conference has a better profile yes but it is less competitive .. The teams in AAC are way down.. He won and that counts but let’s not act like this is last years AAC with good memphis and top teams

how so? top four teams in the AAC this season ranked by SRS (simple basic efficiency metric based on offense and defense relative to the season):

This season​

USF - 12.9 (regular season champ)​

Tulane - 11.9​

Wichita - 8.7​

Memphis - 4.6​

​

Last Season:​

Memphis - 12.1​

North Texas - 7.7 (had Ross Hodge who jumped to WV this season)​

UAB - 4.7 (had Yaxel Lendeborg and still were meh)​

FAU - 3.7 (had Matas Vokietaitis who starts at Texas)​

​

MAAC this season (yes those are negatives)​

Marist - -3.4​

Merrimack - -4 (regular season champ)​

Siena - -4.1 (won tourney)​

Quinni - -5.3​

​

MAAC last season (yes those are negatives)​

Merrimack - -4.6​

Quinni - -5.9 (regular season champ)​

Siena - -7.5​

Manhattan - -7.7​

St. Mary's - -7.9 (won tourney)​

​

Not that I expect this to change any minds and I'm just yelling into the void, but it certainly looks like the AAC is tougher this year and the MAAC is a bunch of not good teams with this season being slightly better. And to reiterate, this is the best team by the metrics in USF's history and Hodgson could set the record for most wins this season with 2 more. Gerry has Siena's 9th best season by wins and it's their 32nd best season by SRS.

 

[PoppyHart]

According to Barttorvik, the AAC is the 10th best conference this year, while the MAAC is the 25th. If somebody has access to the Kenpom numbers, I'd be more in those results.

Indeed, the AAC was 11th is NET Conference in 2024-25. This year the conference is 10th, so it is in fact better this year as a whole.

 

[OttoMets]

The “good” Hodgkin or the “bad” one.

j/k

 

[Fly Rodder]

This is dumb. He has done great given the hand dealt. Neither has been a HC long enough to use stats to show that he is a great HC. It is a crapshoot either way.

so instead of stats what do you suggest we use to evaluate potential coaches? Vibes, feelings, family, dartboard?

 

[jncuse]

Well, since I started this thread, I guess I should put in my two cents. I am good with either Gerry or Hodgkin. They both bring different strengths. I am not of the opinion that Gerry is fruit from the poisoned tree. That is not his fault. Duke took a chance on Scheyer and Scheyer has been a great coach. He will be at Duke for life. Many Duke fans were rather sick of K by the end, believe it or not. But legacy is important to Duke. If Gerry is successful, he will be here for life.

Hodgkin would be a great hire, but there are no guarantees with him, either. Gerry and Hodgkin are around the same age. Someone made the point that Hodgkin seems to run a more dynamic offense. That is appealing but perhaps Hodgkin has the players to do that. Gerry works with what he has.

The money and NIL make it all the more complicated, and I have no wisdom or insight about that except that I HATE it. Does Gerry even want this job? I am sure he understands the pressure he would be under.

There are no guarantees in life.

So you're the one responsible for this!

 

[RF2044]

He won 23 games this year and is in the tournament. That’s winning

And Hodgson / USF also won 23 games [and counting] this year, in a much tougher conference. So it offsets, at best, if it isn't slated more favorably to Hodgson altogether.

So for the next tiebreaker let's go to the advanced metrics. I've already posted how USF rates in the top 20 in numerous important statistical categories.

How does Siena rate on those same statistical categories? Since we are looking for a tiebreaker.

 

[SanDiegoCuse]

JB says stuff, of course he is going to try and get his guy hired. It's what all good mentors should do. If BC and Georgia Tech were interested in GMac, I am sure they have been back channeling with his reps for a while. It wasn't all of a sudden, "Oh look he won the MAAC, let's call him!" Haha.

 

[Moontan]

He’s not qualified

Yet.
Give him another gig and we'll see how things go 3-8 years from now.

 

[Cuseregular]

It's not ALL about number crunching, but let's not be naiive -- you are what the numbers say you are.

And we're coming off of a multi-year stretch where the program's performance isn't just taking on water, we're about to sink and capsize.

Every team we play of quality beats us by double digits -- and last time I checked, score was also about numbers.

So do the metrics paint the full picture? No, but when one team is at the top of the national rankings in a bunch of important statistical categories, and the other is not, and one head coach is associated with a mentor that has his teams in the top 10 every year, and the other is associated with a head coach who oversaw a period of significant program decline -- yes, the numbers matter. And should be considered.

Last time, the powers that be emphasized a largely irrelevant factor [ties to the program] over more important criteria, and allowed dysfunctional political nonsense to influence the choice of hire.

We need to be smarter this time.

Damn your objective rational eyes, I can’t counter that. That said I’m all in still on the potential of a Gerry era and will hope it’s just that and not an error if it comes to pass.

If not still will be all in too on your guy BH after reading the detailed analysis you bring and then hope he’s a fit Cuse fans will get behind. But yeah, damn ur eyes!

 

[kingtidge]

JB says stuff, of course he is going to try and get his guy hired. It's what all good mentors should do. If BC and Georgia Tech were interested in GMac, I am sure they have been back channeling with his reps for a while. It wasn't all of a sudden, "Oh look he won the MAAC, let's call him!" Haha.

OK, but get in the boat and row with everyone else for Christ's sake!

Whether he wants GMAC or not... whomever the coach will be... What's the point of going on national media and saying we don't have the resources any new coach will need?? How does that help any candidate or the program land their candidate?? Especially if it's a dubious statement to begin with??

 

[ChrisIsCitrus]

I don't have time to read through the entire thread today, but I think this is a salient point to make, if it hasn't already be made.

If Gerry continues to win and rise through the coaching ranks, there is a strong chance that he comes home to Syracuse if and when he gets the call, whenever that is. That could be in 15 days, 3 years or 6 years from now. The same is likely true of Hopkins. With a guy like Hodgson, this is likely the only chance of getting him. It's now or never. If Hodgson doesn't work out and Gerry continues to impress, he will likely be available when the time comes. I'm super-happy for Gerry and want him to continue to succeed, but I'm firmly in the Hodgson camp.

 

[tptcuse]

I don't have time to read through the entire thread today, but I think this is a salient point to make, if it hasn't already be made.

If Gerry continues to win and rise through the coaching ranks, there is a strong chance that he comes home to Syracuse if and when he gets the call, whenever that is. That could be in 15 days, 3 years or 6 years from now. The same is likely true of Hopkins. With a guy like Hodgson, this is likely the only chance of getting him. It's now or never. If Hodgson doesn't work out and Gerry continues to impress, he will likely be available when the time comes. I'm super-happy for Gerry and want him to continue to succeed, but I'm firmly in the Hodgson camp.

Very good post.

 

[SanDiegoCuse]

OK, but get in the boat and row with everyone else for Christ's sake!

Whether he wants GMAC or not... whomever the coach will be... What's the point of going on national media and saying we don't have the resources any new coach will need?? How does that help any candidate or the program land their candidate?? Especially if it's a dubious statement to begin with??

It doesn't. Nothing good really came from that interview.

 

[kingtidge]

It doesn't. Nothing good really came from that interview.

It just sounded like he was making up a BS excuse for Red at the expense of the program. Just more foot-in-mouth disease...

We all watched the product on the court. It was a terribly coached product.

 

[bballbeadle]

So you're the one responsible for this!

 

[Brooky03]

When was Mike supposed to take over? I'm pretty sure it was after the 2016 season, and when Boeheim let it be known that he didn't want to leave, that's when Mike checked out. He was here that one more season but didn't sign any recruits. He saved them for his next job.

So, yeah, that's 10 years since Boeheim reneged on his agreement with Syverud after his 2nd probation.

The 2nd probation was on the Athletic Department. If there was an agreement for JB to leave over nonsense that Syverud should have, and any school worth its salt would have fought, that’s ridiculous and dumb.

I’ll never fault a guy for wanting to stay in his dream job. JB didn’t owe anybody anything in the form of retiring, as I see it. I guess you could call that entitlement. I wouldn’t.

 

[xc84]

And Hodgson / USF also won 23 games [and counting] this year, in a much tougher conference. So it offsets, at best, if it isn't slated more favorably to Hodgson altogether.

So for the next tiebreaker let's go to the advanced metrics. I've already posted how USF rates in the top 20 in numerous important statistical categories.

How does Siena rate on those same statistical categories? Since we are looking for a tiebreaker.

Every conference is a conference of peer teams with similar talent. Higher average talent doesn’t make it harder to win. The stat I care about is winning. One guy has been HC for 3 years and the other 2 years. Statistics can be a factor but not the only one.

 

[Zelda Zonk]

If GMac’s name were Joe Schlobonik and he was not an alum—just a guy who turned Siena around… would we be clamoring to get him?

I’d like to get someone we feel fortunate to get—as in other, top programs might get him first. Not just another ‘comfort/familiarity’ hire. Nothing against GMac—one of my favorite players—but after the sentimental choice didn’t work, I want to go full-on Objectivity.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Final 4 in 2016. Sweet 16 in 2018 and 2021. I don’t care much they didn’t have single digit losses those years.

And imagine if we limited our losses in the regular season with those teams. We would have been a higher seed, and probably gotten at least 1 round further.

 

[IthacaMatt]

jb just said on orangenation that gmac has heard from bc and georgia tech.

Still pimpin' for his Fox Hole Buddy.
Let Gerry go to Georgia Tech, then. BC is a career killer.
He's too big a risk if he fails. We are done as a program, if that happens.
Save the Gerry card for if the next guy is not successful,
He hasn't coached at much more than a Diviision 2 level at Siena.

 

[BillSU]

Proven winner as a player. People like Gerry. You want people in the seats, Gerry’s going to put them there. You want good players coming to Syracuse, Gerry’s going to bring them here. You have a lovely relationship with Gerry as HC on the bench. Gerry is as much a winner as that coach from USF who no one knows. Hire Gerry if he wants to come.

 

[swish7]

I don't have time to read through the entire thread today, but I think this is a salient point to make, if it hasn't already be made.

If Gerry continues to win and rise through the coaching ranks, there is a strong chance that he comes home to Syracuse if and when he gets the call, whenever that is. That could be in 15 days, 3 years or 6 years from now. The same is likely true of Hopkins. With a guy like Hodgson, this is likely the only chance of getting him. It's now or never. If Hodgson doesn't work out and Gerry continues to impress, he will likely be available when the time comes. I'm super-happy for Gerry and want him to continue to succeed, but I'm firmly in the Hodgson camp.

Sell me on Hodgson. I don't get it. At all.

 

[RF2044]

Every conference is a conference of peer teams with similar talent. Higher average talent doesn’t make it harder to win. The stat I care about is winning. One guy has been HC for 3 years and the other 2 years. Statistics can be a factor but not the only one.

Then your point is irrelevant, because USF had a better winning percentage this year than Siena.

If that's the stat you care about, then the choice is clear.

 

[ScriptCuse]

Proven winner as a player. People like Gerry. You want people in the seats, Gerry’s going to put them there. You want good players coming to Syracuse, Gerry’s going to bring them here. You have a lovely relationship with Gerry as HC on the bench. Gerry is as much a winner as that coach from USF who no one knows. Hire Gerry if he wants to come.

This is an insane post with all due respect lol

 

[Orangezoo]

Sell me on Hodgson. I don't get it. At all.

Watch USF play, watch tape of his team at Ark state. Listen to the interviews and look back to the teams Oats had with BH at his side. Hes been on an upward trajectory without setbacks for a while both in recruiting and results for a longer period of time.

Then look at the metrics multiple folks have shared in this thread. There is a very solid case behind him as a coach and recruiter. Also he’s been part of multiple teams that he helped build up to meet new heights consistently going from an assistant to now a HC.

You can’t look at all that and not come away with a number of reasons he’s a great option unless you are firmly biased against someone who isn’t from the SU family or someone who has been a P4 head coach for a decade already like a Chris Mack for example. Add onto the fact that pulling in a guy like the Iowa state coach would be very expensive and even someone like Mack has some flaws even with his resume.