It's Official: It’s GMac

[Scooch]

No we don’t need to myth make, but we also don’t need to falsely bring him down. If you don’t know if it’s true, maybe reconsider posting it next time, especially a story from a rival coach.
It’s not weird, it just doesn’t sound consistent with what we know about GMAC. He never played afraid, and that statement is not anywhere near suggesting he is a Marvel super hero.

Afraid is your word. I never suggested he was afraid. Nor did the guy who told me the story.

 

[dwilmont44]

Siena was 180 in KenPom this year.

Syracuse was 87.

 

[rrlbees]

Siena was 180 in KenPom this year.

Syracuse was 87.

how high do you think a low mid major should be? have maac teams been generally much higher?

 

[AZOrange]

Staff and roster. Has to get it right.

And right isn't going to mean either is loaded with former Syracuse and Siena guys.

My biggest fears are playing out right now.

I hear you. But the way I look at it, part of it is righting a wrong that occurred 3 years ago. While Red clearly had seniority most felt the better coach was passed up.

A big part of what’s missing is the coach with fire. A team will always take on the personality of the coach. If he’s weak they will be too. GMAC has always been a winner. He has fire. In some respects his coaching demeanor reminds me more of Coach K than JB. These are all good things.

He has to get his staff right. It’s critical they have fundamentals locked down. And they have to be able to recruit and retain. Can he be a Fran Brown type? TBD.

But I don’t even want to think about a world where SU has to fire GMAC. I cannot even fathom that. So I’m content to watch it play out knowing it has to work. The downside is too unbearable to think about.

This guy took the biggest moment in program history and decided “I’m gonna be the star tonight”. You don’t teach that. It’s in your DNA. And it never goes away. It seeps out everyday in everything a person does.

I’m behind GMAC because he cannot fail. He will not allow it to happen.

 

[Orangezoo]

how high do you think a low mid major should be? have maac teams been generally much higher?

170-200 is the usual for the top 2 -3 teams in the MAAC.

 

[AngryOtto]

The only questions you should be asking about GMAC are: 1) how may season tickets should I buy; and 2) where do I send my check or credit card number for recurring NIL donation. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get in on the ground floor of something special! Thank you.

Are you his agent? I know people are supportive but you seem over the top. I hope Gerry does well for SU because the alternative is going to be bad.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I hear you. But the way I look at it, part of it is righting a wrong that occurred 3 years ago. While Red clearly had seniority most felt the better coach was passed up.

A big part of what’s missing is the coach with fire. A team will always take on the personality of the coach. If he’s weak they will be too. GMAC has always been a winner. He has fire. In some respects his coaching demeanor reminds me more of Coach K than JB. These are all good things.

He has to get his staff right. It’s critical they have fundamentals locked down. And they have to be able to recruit and retain. Can he be a Fran Brown type? TBD.

But I don’t even want to think about a world where SU has to fire GMAC. I cannot even fathom that. So I’m content to watch it play out knowing it has to work. The downside is too unbearable to think about.

This guy took the biggest moment in program history and decided “I’m gonna be the star tonight”. You don’t teach that. It’s in your DNA. And it never goes away. It seeps out everyday in everything a person does.

I’m behind GMAC because he cannot fail. He will not allow it to happen.

Yeah, look, it sounds great but... I need more than that to believe.

I just don't believe it differentiates him enough.

 

[Bulldog04]

I am legitimately impressed by how well you have taken the last three years, given your relationships with the staff. I don't think we've never met but I truly appreciate your contributions to this board.

Wish they were all this nice!
It sucks to see your friends not succeed. All great guys and unfortunately it all comes down to wins and losses. Won’t change my relationship with any of them. But I wanted them to win so badly because they were so easy to support.

 

[Bulldog04]

Can one of our donors demand that his money is contingent on Gerry wearing a suit on the sideline? I’d like to class it up, and purge the memory of Red’s schlubby athleisure look.

It’s literally insane. Covid hit and all of a sudden it was 1/4 zips for every single coach. Did Covid somehow attack people wearing suits ?! Don’t get it. Hate the look.

 

[LpoolNative]

It’s literally insane. Covid hit and all of a sudden it was 1/4 zips for every single coach. Did Covid somehow attack people wearing suits ?! Don’t get it. Hate the look.

It’s an absolute disgrace.

 

[donniesyracuse]

Can one of our donors demand that his money is contingent on Gerry wearing a suit on the sideline? I’d like to class it up, and purge the memory of Red’s schlubby athleisure look.

Let’s get the guy a decent haircut too before it’s too late.

 

[VikesCuse84]

Are you his agent? I know people are supportive but you seem over the top. I hope Gerry does well for SU because the alternative is going to be bad.

I was hopeful for Schertz or one of the other outside hires, but we need Gerry to do well. I’m rooting for him to turn the program back around to what it should be. if he doesn’t the program will be an afterthought in the college basketball world much more so than it is now and we’re already in not a great spot to say the least.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Let’s get the guy a decent haircut too before it’s too late.

I remember when Kirk Heinrich got drafted one of the best jokes was "now that he's making NBA money he can stop going to the barber that cuts hair with an ax."

 

[STEVEHOLT]

Here’s the thing . We hope he is the right hire . The reason there is apprehension is because the recent Boeheim coaching tree is a Forrest of wood rot. Will Gmac be the guy to resurrect ? Maybe . But strictly statistically speaking it is more unlikely than likely. This as opposed to coaches with a longer track record of success against the odds. It’s not necessarily about emotion and “gut” feel. There is a rational aspect to being dubious of the move.

 

[Shrmdougluvr]

It’s literally insane. Covid hit and all of a sudden it was 1/4 zips for every single coach. Did Covid somehow attack people wearing suits ?! Don’t get it. Hate the look.

For me, the correlation was Covid --> I got fat --> Suits no longer comfortable --> 1/4 zips.

I think the Navy quarter zips with khaki colored slacks or an "SU Orange" quarter zip with navy slacks would be fine for coaching. It's the white and the gray that look way too casual.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

My worry - i watch a lot basketball. Mostly NBA with Cuse seasons generally over by Christmas. The best coaches are smart - some very smart. They innovate to secure an edge. That was JB's edge against Georgetown, St John's and UConn. I remember Pitino saying as much before the final game against Kentucky in '96. Will Cuse out recruit Duke or NC or even Louisville? Unlikely. Best case is probably 2nd tier unless our coach is better at the craft of coaching. There is nothing in G-Mac's short coaching history to suggest he is a crafty coach. His experience as an assistant is limited to one coach - yes a smart one but one that by most accounts lost his edge over his last years. I've heard that his teams are gritty and play hard. The Duke game was not about Xs and Os. It was about Duke thinking they could coast to the 2nd round and a great shooting day until Duke dug in. With sufficient NIL $$ and a demanding program, I trust we will be better and get into the Big Dance most years. But getting back to a perennially strong program like the Big East days, I will be surprised. Success may come down to having a reason to watch after Christmas. And telling tales to my grandchildren about what Syracuse used to be.

Your recency bias is showing. For many years JB was considered by most to be a subpar coach. It was said that his coaching consisted of rolling out the balls at practice. He was so unappreciated/demeaned, he considered taking the Ohio Stste job. There will be a learning curve with GMac, but he is well along the way.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Honestly, I wouldn’t want Hodgson after he chose to go to Providence. Providence is a nice school but it does not compare to Syracuse University.

I never wanted to marry her after she married him.

 

[orangefog]

I probably already know the answer to this question but is it possible for him to just be a normal contributor to the program and stop all the “look at me look at me I’m in the Dome with one of the Baldwin brothers” cheesiness.

He was the major contributor at Siena, without much fanfare. But, what is the problem with bringing celebrities to games? Who does it hurt? Don’t you think the players and fans like meeting Tom Brady, Giannis, AI…?

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Gerry may not have the flashy resume like some other coaches, but he has something that a lot of coaches lack: passion and heart.

A team generally plays like its coach, as I’m sure Siena did and Syracuse will under his guidance.

That means something. It’s an intangible you can’t teach. It’s instilled.

Gerry is a winner. Everywhere he’s been. High school. Syracuse. Siena.

Give him your support.

Go Orange!!

To say someone who rises to a head coach lacks passion and heart is crazy. They’ve put in years of crazy long hours, travel, relatively low pay, for the chance to rise to the top. Guys like Autry may be more reserved/less expressive than a guy like Gerry, but don’t short change all it took to get there.

 

[BEGood]

I just had this thought in my mind. Gerry is arguably the biggest fan favorite with a legendary career here at cuse. We all need to get behind him and cheer! Do you know how good of a story it would be if he brought us back to where we should be? Let’s do this Gmac!!

 

[Fan Always]

I know some wanted an outside candidate but I’m really happy right now and maybe AW will come back to who knows

I never wanted to marry her after she married him.

 

[GoSU96]

Again, nobody has to like it. It's just the reality.

Just because you type it doesn’t make it reality.

 

[sufandu]

I just had this thought in my mind. Gerry is arguably the biggest fan favorite with a legendary career here at cuse. We all need to get behind him and cheer! Do you know how good of a story it would be if he brought us back to where we should be? Let’s do this Gmac!!

I was thinking about that too. If he can have success here, he'd become the most legendary figure in SU basketball history. Certainly he'll get our support initially. Whether he keeps it and has success will be on him. I'm rooting for him.

 

[BEGood]

I was thinking about that too. If he can have success here, he'd become the most legendary figure in SU basketball history. Certainly he'll get our support initially. Whether he keeps it and has success will be on him. I'm rooting for him.

Yes he will be the ultimate legend here! I just hope for his sake and our sake it works out! He needs all the support he can get. I think he understands the need to get this thing rolling again! Can you imagine a packed dome with a top 25 team again and coached by Gmac!?

 

[Newhouser]

Siena alum here. Folefac is good but missed a ton of bunnies in Atlantic City. I wouldn’t feel good about him being a starting 5

I wouldn't feel good about him as our starting 5 either and I hope GMAC hasn't promised him that.