Gerry McNamara needs to be the next coach

[RF2044]

If you are winning and winning big at Syracuse there are only a few places that would be an upgrade.

Agreed. And I am completely baffled by people worrying about Syracuse being a stepping stone.

Because first of all, our program is in the tank. If someone is able to turn that around, that's a good thing -- even if they move on. We'll be in a better position than we are today, with better fan engagement, better attendance, and an improved financial situation -- all of which will help us bring in the next guy.

Second, I agree with the premise that if a coach turns things around here, it might NOT be a stepping stone -- because when our team is playing to our station, there are very few jobs that are better than ours.

A handful. But how often to the Dukes, UNCs, Kansas, etc. jobs come available?

Assuming things are going well here, a lateral move wouldn't make sense.

I think people are worried about our ability to pay a head coach. That is a valid concern.

 

[RedtheGOB]

I don't recall JB having any HC experience. Correct me if I am wrong.

Yup and around that time color TVs weren’t a thing yet either.

 

[Jake]

If you are winning and winning big at Syracuse there are only a few places that would be an upgrade.

Depends on what you believe is an upgrade. If you’re chasing $….theres going to be many..

 

[MGP]

If you are winning and winning big at Syracuse there are only a few places that would be an upgrade.

Possibly NBA?...

 

[Irishsecra1]

I assume if BH would get a very large pay increase at another program where he can win, he would go. I frankly think most coaches would.
Gerry most likely would stay as long as his pay was reasonable.

That being said, it should not stop them from hiring BH now.
Let’s fix the team now before we start worrying about 3 years from now

 

[baggerbob]

JB had no head coaching experience.

He also wasn't taking program over that had 10 bad years.

 

[orangepassion]

I assume if BH would get a very large pay increase at another program where he can win, he would go. I frankly think most coaches would.
Gerry most likely would stay as long as his pay was reasonable.

Truthfully, we have no clue about either (See Marrone, Doug) and are just speculating. Remember BH grew up in Western NY as a Cuse fan.

 

[phil77]

Depends on what you believe is an upgrade. If you’re chasing $….theres going to be many..

There is no evidence that BH who has been after this job for 2 years and from the area would bolt at the first chance he got for more money. That is just trying to rationalize hiring someone less qualified for an “IF” that may never happen

 

[CuseFaninVT]

There is no evidence that BH who has been after this job for 2 years and from the area would bolt at the first chance he got for more money. That is just trying to rationalize hiring someone less qualified for an “IF” that may never happen

Or that Gerry wouldn’t…..

 

[721Comstock]

There is no evidence that BH who has been after this job for 2 years and from the area would bolt at the first chance he got for more money. That is just trying to rationalize hiring someone less qualified for an “IF” that may never happen

I’d happily take that

It would mean he was very successful here at Cuse.
Which would mean we’d be in a much better better position overall as a program.

Can’t worry about potential hypotheticals.

Get BH.
Pay that man his money.
Get him sufficient support for his staff and players.
Win BIGLY.

 

[baggerbob]

I think you have to look at this from the Athletic Director’s position. And absolutely hiring the best candidate possible is job #1. And Gerry doesn’t surpass Hodgson, Schertz..etc.

But job #2 is long term stability and success. Any AD has to look at “is the candidate a potential long term solution.” If so, they need a hard look because if you are Syracuse in this new order (or even before), changing coaches every three years is a higher risk likely unsustainable model.

That’s why I’m rooting for Gerry to have great success, because I don’t see Hodgson as a forever guy (maybe he is), I think GMAC might be when his time comes..,,

Look I'm with you as before stated if the job comes open again in a few years and Gerry is doing well wherever he is , would love to have him back, just not now.
We have to make the right choice this time or
Syracuse could end up like Indiana. A great program that no one talks about anymore.
And let's face it UCLA is also a past tense in the world of basketball.
We are on that path and if this hire is wrong that is where we end up.

 

[littlereg]

I don’t agree. Hodgson brought two players from Arkansas St to the American and they still produced. One may come here next year(Enis).

The difference in the Sunbelt to the ACC is the about the same difference as MAAC and I repeat he would average more than 5ppg

Caleb Wilson went 4-12 against the Bonnies in what was mostly a close game. Again I posted that I don’t want Doty or Gmac so nice reading comprehension there.

The Bonnies just went 4-14 in conference so I don’t think this is exactly saying much. Plus the sunbelts avg team net is 40 points higher than the MAAC, 20th by conference compared to 25th overall.

I dont know how good Doty would be though I haven’t watched enough of him to have an opinion on hisgame specificially either way though.

 

[Jake]

Look I'm with you as before stated if the job comes open again in a few years and Gerry is doing well wherever he is , would love to have him back, just not now.
We have to make the right choice this time or
Syracuse could end up like Indiana. A great program that no one talks about anymore.
And let's face it UCLA is also a past tense in the world of basketball.
We are on that path and if this hire is wrong that is where we end up.

Again, I’m not advocating for Gerry now in any way shape or form, just pointing out that an AD will consider a former player with more weight than a non-alum for a legit reason.

 

[BomberOrange]

I assume if BH would get a very large pay increase at another program where he can win, he would go. I frankly think most coaches would.
Gerry most likely would stay as long as his pay was reasonable.

That being said, it should not stop them from hiring BH now.
Let’s fix the team now before we start worrying about 3 years from now

So why would BH leave for $$ and not GMac??? You know these guys?

I’ll be waiting…

 

[BomberOrange]

Again, I’m not advocating for Gerry now in any way shape or form, just pointing out that an AD will consider a former player with more weight than a non-alum for a legit reason.

What’s the legit reason? I cannot think of one.

 

[Cuseregular]

I think you have to look at this from the Athletic Director’s position. And absolutely hiring the best candidate possible is job #1. And Gerry doesn’t surpass Hodgson, Schertz..etc.

But job #2 is long term stability and success. Any AD has to look at “is the candidate a potential long term solution.” If so, they need a hard look because if you are Syracuse in this new order (or even before), changing coaches every three years is a higher risk likely unsustainable model.

That’s why I’m rooting for Gerry to have great success, because I don’t see Hodgson as a forever guy (maybe he is), I think GMAC might be when his time comes..,,

Hey u stole my thunder from 20 pages back! Lol. spot on.

 

[nyucuse]

If you are winning and winning big at Syracuse there are only a few places that would be an upgrade.

IF SU is winning big in hoops, you can count college upgrades on one hand. And maybe not use all the fingers. If he wants to jump to the league after that kind of success, that’s a different matter. I in no way shape or form see SU bball as a stepping stone at the college level - subject to the admin stepping up salary etc to match that level of success, which I have to believe they would in such a case.

 

[Cuseregular]

I don't agree.

But hypothetically, if Gerry were coming off this season at Siena, and Red was an AC, and it came down to the two of them in 2023 -- maybe.

The frustration comes from: why would it only be them as candidates? The last hire was botched in no small part by dysfunction, politics, and croneyism. We're seeing similar dysfunction play out now, only with BOTH the AD and head coaching search.

Fans are tired of this baloney.

Howzabout instead of crossing our fingers with potentially unsuitable candidates, we just hire the best guy we can?

The university has themselves to thank for subjecting fans to three years of hot garbage, with easily the worst P4 coach. At some point, all of the dysfunction is either going to ruin the program long-term, or needs to be put in check. Its time for the adults to regain control, and stop letting inmates run the asylum.

Because guess what? If Gerry is hired, and the turnaround isn't immediate, he'll have an even shorter allocation of patience from the fanbase than Red did. And Red lost a significant portion of confidence during year 2. Fans are voting with their wallets -- so if the powers that be decide to bring in another roll of the dice candidate, you reap what you sow.

No way the fan base knows what’s up re timelines. Gerry’s leash will b longer. Why?

We’d not see the level of dysfunction/bad coaching we’ve seen for three years now, would not have to listen to the announcer speak every game to the effect, “Syracuse has the talent, gives the effort, but just ‘can’t put it together’”.

IOW announcer speak for your coach sucks. We’d not hear that, why? Results would be immediately better would be my guess, not necessarily great, nor where we want to be right away but better.

Now, all that said, you indeed have swayed me that BH would be the better option, but if Gerryworld occurs, think the above happens.

 

[SuFTW]

What’s the legit reason? I cannot think of one.

Here are a few reasons. Whether they are legit in your eyes or not is up to you and how much weight they should carry may only be minimal.
Understands the school culture and politics better.
Less likely to leave for another program.
May be able to engage alumni and alumni player support better but that would be dependent on the candidate.

 

[tptcuse]

I don't recall JB having any HC experience. Correct me if I am wrong.

In 1976. Good comparison.

 

[BomberOrange]

Here are a few reasons. Whether they are legit in your eyes or not is up to you and how much weight they should carry may only be minimal.
Understands the school culture and politics better.
Less likely to leave for another program.
May be able to engage alumni and alumni player support better but that would be dependent on the candidate.

Hopefully minimal because the only thing that should carry weight is basketball coaching ability. The things you mention are things you worry about if you’re not serious about winning… ok the last point will help with nil. And I have no worries that BH wouldnt excel in that category.

 

[gward]

What’s pretty clear right now is that BH one of the hottest coaches nationally—and he wants to keep it that way. He would want to win in the tougher ACC, and he knows the pressure in Syracuse is real. But I don’t doubt he can handle it.
But if Syracuse can’t raise enough money to get him the talent he needs to win—really win—he may not want to risk his long-term market value.
For instance, if Providence offers more NIL support and he can build a stronger roster there with less pressure, that could boost his stock even higher. From that position, he’d be better positioned for a jump to a bigger program with greater prestige and pay. He flops at Cuse because of a lack of NIL he risks long- term damage to his market worth .
I’m sure he and his agent might be thinking in exactly those terms—what move makes the most sense over the long run.
Syracuse has to make itself an endgame destination. The tradition, the Dome, the history—it’s all there. The NIL resources need to match it.
Otherwise, we risk becoming a high-expectation, low-funding job that limits a coach’s career upside.
Yes, BH has proven he can do more with less—his offensive creativity shows that. But if I were his agent, I’d tell him to push Syracuse to match or exceed what Providence offers . I think that might or is happing . I think we can raise the money . I wish my teacher salary could do it but I can hardly afford decent bourbon.

 

[nyucuse]

In 1976. Good comparison.

Alaska’s takes are… something. I don’t mean to attack or negatively focus on anyone personally but it’s almost impossible not to. Literally every post is as*backwards, nonsensical and just flat out simple to refute. Like he’s perpetually six whiskeys deep looking to post something too absurd to be taken seriously.

 

[MSOrange]

Alaska’s takes are… something. I don’t mean to attack or negatively focus on anyone personally but it’s almost impossible not to. Literally every post is as*backwards, nonsensical and just flat out simple to refute. Like he’s six whiskeys deep looking to post something too absurd to be taken seriously.

I think he posted once that he's a few years younger than JB. So I think that's a big reason why he fights against the notion that JB had lost anything off his fastball and wasn't going as hard in all aspects of the job as he needed to and that might be the reason for the downturn, as opposed to changing conferences.

 

[shu 49]

Umm, GMac was 14-18 last year. When did Hodgson have a losing record?

4-28,14-18, and now maybe 25 wins. That’s a hell of accomplishment. I like Hodge too but imagine hometown hero turns SU into national powerhouse again. With 3 previous players coaching. AO being my fav as he is a good bigs coach.