Thamel: It’s GMac

[LAorange44]

He hasn’t beaten a serious team. Ever. He put a good game plan together for the duke game, but does ANYONE here believe duke wouldn’t mop the floor with Siena if they played again? It would have been nice to see him win a game he was expected to lose.

Sir. Coach McNamara brings money (which by the way we otherwise would not have), fan trust, coaching acumen, and a brand/identity. I’m sorry your preferred candidate didn’t get hired. Unfortunately, our fanbase has champagne taste but the school has a Miller high life wallet. Maybe if your preferred candidate had more success, more money attached to him, more name recognition, and more fan support, the powers that be would have made a different decision. Coaching today is more than W and L’s. It’s about the cash, fundraising, and brand. That’s why Gerry is here. So get on the McNamara bus because we have a national championship to win!!!! Let’s go orange!!!

 

[jr4750]

lol "Why didn't he simply COACH the five players he had to beat the top team in the tournament?"

Yes, you can win a game with 5 players. Not saying it wouldn’t have been incredibly difficult, but it is possible.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

lol "Why didn't he simply COACH the five players he had to beat the top team in the tournament?"

Maybe, and I’m just spitballing here, if he did give his starters a minute or two blow in the first half, they wouldn’t have exhausted the tank before the end of the game. And yes, I know he was down regular players, but there’s always a way to get a minute here or there.

Wasn’t this one of the issues many of us complained about with Boeheim? I don’t want this habit to become a regular thing.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

Sir. Coach McNamara brings money (which by the way we otherwise would not have), fan trust, coaching acumen, and a brand/identity. I’m sorry your preferred candidate didn’t get hired. Unfortunately, our fanbase has champagne taste but the school has a Miller high life wallet. Maybe if your preferred candidate had more success, more money attached to him, more name recognition, and more fan support, the powers that be would have made a different decision. Coaching today is more than W and L’s. It’s about the cash, fundraising, and brand. That’s why Gerry is here. So get on the McNamara bus because we have a national championship to win!!!! Let’s go orange!!!

You’re a funny guy. Dim witted, but funny.

 

[LAorange44]

You’re a funny guy. Dim witted, but funny.

I’ll take the W

 

[OrangeFoo]

How would a Villanova coach know that? I don’t think Gerry would be telling that story.

umm there were like 12 other players, multiple coaches, trainers, etc... other than GMAC no?

 

[CuseFaninVT]

I’ll take the W

As long as Cuse gets a few more.

 

[AckermanAve]

Good luck to GMAC. I hope his teams play with as much heart and competitiveness as Gerry had, and I hope Gerry doesn’t settle for anything less than that. If they can do that, we’ll be in good shape.

 

[SuFTW]

Maybe, and I’m just spitballing here, if he did give his starters a minute or two blow in the first half, they wouldn’t have exhausted the tank before the end of the game. And yes, I know he was down regular players, but there’s always a way to get a minute here or there.

Wasn’t this one of the issues many of us complained about with Boeheim? I don’t want this habit to become a regular thing.

He did what he thought gave him the best chance to win, but maybe you know his team better than he does?

 

[twinight]

Maybe, and I’m just spitballing here, if he did give his starters a minute or two blow in the first half, they wouldn’t have exhausted the tank before the end of the game. And yes, I know he was down regular players, but there’s always a way to get a minute here or there.

Wasn’t this one of the issues many of us complained about with Boeheim? I don’t want this habit to become a regular thing.

Who would you have had him sub in? I'm fascinated by your keen basketball mind. This wasn't a typical game with his typical bench available to him.

 

[Orangezoo]

Years and years ago I sat next to a former Villanova assistant coach at the Big East tourney. We got to chatting. He knew Gerry from his high school days in Scranton.

The story was that when SU got into the locker room at halftime of the title game, up 18, the enormity of the moment hit Gerry. He kinda freaked out, got super tight, and struggled in the second half. I mean, he was 18 and in the national title game. So I totally get it.

Super surprised if it really happened ( not that he told you) and I think I know exactly who you are talking about.. it wouldn’t surprise me that assistant would tossing around some BS.. knowing how he handled the state playoffs and some things former BH guys we played against and some that roamed social circles after HS- I’d be shocked if he really got nervous.

 

[cuseinseattle]

A national search would have been fun. Next time!

 

[JimBoston]

For GMac to be successful, he needs a good GM and a couple of assistants to run the offense and recruit.

 

[SuFTW]

umm there were like 12 other players, multiple coaches, trainers, etc... other than GMAC no?

Of course there were, that’s obvious, but why would any of them bad mouth Gerry and for what purpose? Questionable motives cast doubt on the story.

 

[Orangezoo]

Who would you have had him sub in? I'm fascinated by your keen basketball mind. This wasn't a typical game with his typical bench available to him.

He could have gone small a couple times before the media breaks to extend them using Jones in short stints. Im not sure it would have been enough but it would have been worth it which I’m sure isn’t lost on Gerry.

 

[tptcuse]

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!!

I love and will support Gmac, but what Division 1 basketball coaches lack passion and heart?

 

[CuseFaninVT]

Who would you have had him sub in? I'm fascinated by your keen basketball mind. This wasn't a typical game with his typical bench available to him.

The same kid he used at the end of the game.

 

[SuFTW]

I love and will support Gmac, but what Division 1 basketball coaches lack passion and heart?

Coach Red?

 

[We Are Syracuse]

A national search would have been fun. Next time!

Lol one could only wish. Cannot believe this is the direction Cuse went after the way everything has gone recently and what Gerry has accomplished at Siena but it’s also so incredibly predictable at the same time. Not feeling confident in this hire whatsoever in the slightest and I hate that bc GMAC is an all time legend.

 

[jdubs30]

A national search would have been fun. Next time!

Third times a charm!

 

[rrlbees]

Years and years ago I sat next to a former Villanova assistant coach at the Big East tourney. We got to chatting. He knew Gerry from his high school days in Scranton.

The story was that when SU got into the locker room at halftime of the title game, up 18, the enormity of the moment hit Gerry. He kinda freaked out, got super tight, and struggled in the second half. I mean, he was 18 and in the national title game. So I totally get it.

or was it because he hurt his hand late in the 1st half?

 

[rangers1994]

Sir. Coach McNamara brings money (which by the way we otherwise would not have), fan trust, coaching acumen, and a brand/identity. I’m sorry your preferred candidate didn’t get hired. Unfortunately, our fanbase has champagne taste but the school has a Miller high life wallet. Maybe if your preferred candidate had more success, more money attached to him, more name recognition, and more fan support, the powers that be would have made a different decision. Coaching today is more than W and L’s. It’s about the cash, fundraising, and brand. That’s why Gerry is here. So get on the McNamara bus because we have a national championship to win!!!! Let’s go orange!!!

What money?

 

[LAorange44]

What money?

The money that our very cool and very smart top secret super insiders post about in the coaching search thread.

 

[Symphony Steve]

I get it, but I feel like we're getting Gerry in spite of the connection to Boeheim, rather than because of it. I'm more excited about getting the fiery competitor he was as a player, which he would have been with or without JB.

I try not to be too argumentative on here, but you seriously believe that?

 

[tptcuse]

Coach Red?

Even he had both of those. Players would die for him. He didn't have head coaching skills.