He can have any opinion he wants. But claiming that’s what I’m objecting to is a Motte and Bailey fallacy. You’re intentionally conflating a controversial, hard-to-defend claim (Boeheim can express his opinion to anyone at any time and it’s always OK to do so). with a similar, easy-to-defend, or common-sense claim (Boeheim is entitled to an opinion).
He could have taken his opinion to the new incoming leadership and expressed it to them privately and behind closed doors. That would have been an acceptable and maybe even commendable approach. Instead he chose to express his opinion publicly in order to try to create pressure from fans in the new leadership. That is unprofessional and slimy, so I understand why you don’t want to defend the actual issue. Someone commented that he’s got strained relations with the administration at Syracuse - doing things this way a big part of why that is likely true.
What’s bizarre to me is it’s such a bad idea as well - if I’m just coming in, the last thing I’m going to do is give in to pressure from a former head coach because he’ll know he can just run to the media to get what he wants. Considering he left the program in turmoil after a decade of mediocrity - and still needed to be shoved out the door - I’d be very concerned he’s more interested in his own personal agenda to the detriment of the program. I’d absolutely listen to him if he came to my office, and it might carry some weight. This approach would carry weight - it’s just that I wouldn’t hire Gerry now under any circumstances.