Welcome home Coach McNamara

[Dick_in_MI]

And so the new chapter is upon us. I leaned towards Schertz but was otherwise somewhat agnostic about the other candidates. And by that, I mean I didn't overwhelmingly favor one over the other really. The gap was not really wide between them. All had their strengths. All had their risks.

All of them.

SU basketball has become like SU football in a way. You get a Dino Babers who had a good 2 years at a low level then 2 good years in the MAC. Or a Fran Brown (whose story is still being written) who had never even been a coordinator, much less a head coach. That was what our hoops candidate pool boiled down to. Not bad, mind you, but nobody proven at this level. It is with great hope that Gmac changes that going forward.

I’m taken back to Winter of 2003. The Orange travelled to Michigan State and no tickets were to be had. I reached out to Jim Boeheim and he sat my family behind the family of a freshman guard from Scranton. Kiyan’s Dad was great and we pulled out a win. Gerry didn’t do much that day, but not long afterwards, he had a shooting spree for the ages as SU beat Kansas for the National Championship. He followed that up with a career that ranks him, to this day, 4th in career scoring, 3rd in assists, and second in steals.

He had a long tenure as an assistant, and his jersey hangs in the Dome. He turned around Siena and his Iron Five…guys who would have been escorted off the Duke campus by armed guards had they tried to get a scholarship…gave Duke all they could handle. They played with confidence, effort, and yes, toughness that has not been seen at SU in a number of years.

And now it has come full circle. I hope that fans will rally behind him, although I know some will be on his @$$ from Day 1.

So, welcome home Coach McNamara. The decision has been made. This SU alum is behind you 100% and I wish you great success.

For all of our sakes.

 

[LAOrange]

I'm with you, Dick. I still have my #3 Jersey. Here's hoping he brings his toughness, Arinze, Doty and hires the best team our money can buy.

 

[Dcuse]

Tell you what…….The Cuse fan base is very happy right now except for like 90% of this fan board. Never been more disappointed in this place. Know you don’t hate Gerry personally but as far as him as a potential coach, it’s been undeniable Gerry hate.( for most of you)

 

[MSOrange]

Tell you what…….The Cuse fan base is very happy right now except for like 90% of this fan board. Never been more disappointed in this place. Know you don’t hate Gerry personally but as far as him as a potential coach, it’s been undeniable Gerry hate.( for most of you)

This should be the best day of your life, but you always have to be angry. Take a sedative.

 

[FireballPhil]

Agreed. Gerry was important cog in 2003. I remember way back when there so much talk about how much he studied the game and was going to be a great coach one day. Well that day has apparently arrived. Although apprehensive, I will root for him to succeed. Because there is no other choice for me. Bring on the portal and let's see what we have.

 

[sufan59]

Tell you what…….The Cuse fan base is very happy right now except for like 90% of this fan board. Never been more disappointed in this place. Know you don’t hate Gerry personally but as far as him as a potential coach, it’s been undeniable Gerry hate.( for most of you)

I think befuddled is a way to describe it of how we arrived here. Like this is crazy. I hope it works!

 

[orange7]

Love this post. This was an easy decision! Gerry McNamara is SU bball for the young generation. He we will get 20K season ticket holders instantly.

 

[Briancuse]

Tell you what…….The Cuse fan base is very happy right now except for like 90% of this fan board. Never been more disappointed in this place. Know you don’t hate Gerry personally but as far as him as a potential coach, it’s been undeniable Gerry hate.( for most of you)

I love gmac have his jersey, his bobblehead his overrated shirt. Didn't want another family hire, and dont.think we got the best coach.

 

[grepal]

And so the new chapter is upon us. I leaned towards Schertz but was otherwise somewhat agnostic about the other candidates. And by that, I mean I didn't overwhelmingly favor one over the other really. The gap was not really wide between them. All had their strengths. All had their risks.

All of them.

SU basketball has become like SU football in a way. You get a Dino Babers who had a good 2 years at a low level then 2 good years in the MAC. Or a Fran Brown (whose story is still being written) who had never even been a coordinator, much less a head coach. That was what our hoops candidate pool boiled down to. Not bad, mind you, but nobody proven at this level. It is with great hope that Gmac changes that going forward.

I’m taken back to Winter of 2003. The Orange travelled to Michigan State and no tickets were to be had. I reached out to Jim Boeheim and he sat my family behind the family of a freshman guard from Scranton. Kiyan’s Dad was great and we pulled out a win. Gerry didn’t do much that day, but not long afterwards, he had a shooting spree for the ages as SU beat Kansas for the National Championship. He followed that up with a career that ranks him, to this day, 4th in career scoring, 3rd in assists, and second in steals.

He had a long tenure as an assistant, and his jersey hangs in the Dome. He turned around Siena and his Iron Five…guys who would have been escorted off the Duke campus by armed guards had they tried to get a scholarship…gave Duke all they could handle. They played with confidence, effort, and yes, toughness that has not been seen at SU in a number of years.

And now it has come full circle. I hope that fans will rally behind him, although I know some will be on his @$$ from Day 1.

So, welcome home Coach McNamara. The decision has been made. This SU alum is behind you 100% and I wish you great success.

For all of our sakes.

First and for the record forever. I will support whoever coaches our teams, the players they coach and the university. That being stated I am thrilled for him and our team. All the best coach!

 

[stuckinbig11]

I agree with you, Dick. My son and I were at the game at Michigan State; I don't remember how we got our tickets.

 

[bballbeadle]

If Gerry succeeds, this will be one of the best feel good stories in college basketball.

When Gerry left after his senior year, I wrote him a long letter full of amusing anecdotes and stories about my experiences with his games. At least, I thought they were amusing. He probably stopped reading after the first two paragraphs. At the end of my letter, I wished him well in all his future endeavors and then added, “Please come back some day and be our Coach at Syracuse.” I am fairly certain that is why he is coming back, but I will allow there may be other factors.

This is such a high pressure situation for him but I am sure he will rise to the occasion. I have always been a person whose glass is 3/4 full and I prefer to live life that ways. I was open to other coaches but now am 100% behind Gerry. I just love him and now he has an opportunity to live out his dream. Let’s go, Orange!

 

[Faegan]

I have always been more of a football and lax fan, especially since I left SU. I can say unequivocally that I will be more engaged as an SU alumni when basketball rolls around next season. GMac is one of my all time favorite SU athletes so it will be fun watching him put his stamp on our program. I will definitely be tuning in along the way in the off season. I doubt I am going to be alone in this among SU fans - be it alumni, SU natives or anyone else who has found their way to the SU fanbase. I also think he will have the media behind him - he did as a player. He was gritty, talented and high character. Get on the bus!

 

[CuseFaninVT]

Love this post. This was an easy decision! Gerry McNamara is SU bball for the young generation. He we will get 20K season ticket holders instantly.

What young generation are you talking about? My 22 year old son was born in August 2003. He knows Gerry because of me, but he could care less about Gerry’s college playing days. And my son is a serious hooper.

Gerry wasn’t exactly a social media sensation like De’arron Fox , my son’s favorite player that he’s been watching since my kid was in middle school.

 

[BillSU]

And so the new chapter is upon us. I leaned towards Schertz but was otherwise somewhat agnostic about the other candidates. And by that, I mean I didn't overwhelmingly favor one over the other really. The gap was not really wide between them. All had their strengths. All had their risks.

All of them.

SU basketball has become like SU football in a way. You get a Dino Babers who had a good 2 years at a low level then 2 good years in the MAC. Or a Fran Brown (whose story is still being written) who had never even been a coordinator, much less a head coach. That was what our hoops candidate pool boiled down to. Not bad, mind you, but nobody proven at this level. It is with great hope that Gmac changes that going forward.

I’m taken back to Winter of 2003. The Orange travelled to Michigan State and no tickets were to be had. I reached out to Jim Boeheim and he sat my family behind the family of a freshman guard from Scranton. Kiyan’s Dad was great and we pulled out a win. Gerry didn’t do much that day, but not long afterwards, he had a shooting spree for the ages as SU beat Kansas for the National Championship. He followed that up with a career that ranks him, to this day, 4th in career scoring, 3rd in assists, and second in steals.

He had a long tenure as an assistant, and his jersey hangs in the Dome. He turned around Siena and his Iron Five…guys who would have been escorted off the Duke campus by armed guards had they tried to get a scholarship…gave Duke all they could handle. They played with confidence, effort, and yes, toughness that has not been seen at SU in a number of years.

And now it has come full circle. I hope that fans will rally behind him, although I know some will be on his @$$ from Day 1.

So, welcome home Coach McNamara. The decision has been made. This SU alum is behind you 100% and I wish you great success.

For all of our sakes.

Great post Dick. I will add to your summary of his basketball stats at SU. He is also #1 in 3 PT shots made (400) and attempted (1,131) and also #1 in FT shooting percentage @ 88.3.%

So happy to read your post and to know Gerry is back where he belonged after JB retired.

Thank you for your positive attitude before the negativity starts.

 

[Dick_in_MI]

I agree with you, Dick. My son and I were at the game at Michigan State; I don't remember how we got our tickets.

LOL too bad we didn't get together. If I recall we met in 2000. The CSNY2K concert at the Palace of Auburn Hills? Or maybe McCartney, but I think it was CSNY. Opening night of the tour, first time they had appeared together in many years, and Crosby blew his voice out near the end.

 

[OrangePA]

And so the new chapter is upon us. I leaned towards Schertz but was otherwise somewhat agnostic about the other candidates. And by that, I mean I didn't overwhelmingly favor one over the other really. The gap was not really wide between them. All had their strengths. All had their risks.

All of them.

SU basketball has become like SU football in a way. You get a Dino Babers who had a good 2 years at a low level then 2 good years in the MAC. Or a Fran Brown (whose story is still being written) who had never even been a coordinator, much less a head coach. That was what our hoops candidate pool boiled down to. Not bad, mind you, but nobody proven at this level. It is with great hope that Gmac changes that going forward.

I’m taken back to Winter of 2003. The Orange travelled to Michigan State and no tickets were to be had. I reached out to Jim Boeheim and he sat my family behind the family of a freshman guard from Scranton. Kiyan’s Dad was great and we pulled out a win. Gerry didn’t do much that day, but not long afterwards, he had a shooting spree for the ages as SU beat Kansas for the National Championship. He followed that up with a career that ranks him, to this day, 4th in career scoring, 3rd in assists, and second in steals.

He had a long tenure as an assistant, and his jersey hangs in the Dome. He turned around Siena and his Iron Five…guys who would have been escorted off the Duke campus by armed guards had they tried to get a scholarship…gave Duke all they could handle. They played with confidence, effort, and yes, toughness that has not been seen at SU in a number of years.

And now it has come full circle. I hope that fans will rally behind him, although I know some will be on his @$$ from Day 1.

So, welcome home Coach McNamara. The decision has been made. This SU alum is behind you 100% and I wish you great success.

For all of our sakes.

I really like the decision to bring Gerry back to the University.

He is perhaps the most popular player in the program's history.

He will bring some excitement to the Dome.

Time of course will tell.

 

[OrangeFoo]

Great post and agree with the sentiment... we took our shot and didn't get our top choice, but came away with a high potential coach who will be here for two decades once he gets this rolling.

 

[Wrinkle]

Tell you what…….The Cuse fan base is very happy right now except for like 90% of this fan board. Never been more disappointed in this place. Know you don’t hate Gerry personally but as far as him as a potential coach, it’s been undeniable Gerry hate.( for most of you)

Bro please. Everybody likes Gerry we're just concerned that this could be a complete disaster and the bullet in the brain of the program

 

[Forza Azzurri]

great post, OP.

Orangezoo and I had this discussion in another thread.

I wanted Gerry. He wanted someone else. I agreed with everything he said and all the reasons he gave why we should not take Gerry.

I wanted Gerry for one simple reason - potential higher upside long term for the university (and the fanbase, meaning me)

Success in college athletics, IMHO, boils down to continuity. Get a really good coach and keep him for the long haul. We had that with JB for 40+ years.

IF Gerry turns out to be a really good coach, he gives us the best chance at duplicating that for the next 25+ years.

Like going from Favre to Rodgers.

To be clear, there is little to no indication that he is going to be a really good coach at the highest levels of college basketball. 2 seasons at Siena cannot possibly tell anyone that. So, from that perspective, it is a high risk hire.

So, what is the downside?

Since we are not going to be able to poach a top-level P4 coach, we are left with either assistants or coaches from lower levels as possibly hires.

They all come with a substantial amount of risk, IMHO. Not as much risk as hiring Gerry but risk nonetheless.

It is not like any of these guys are slam dunks to be great coaches (and if you try to tell me otherwise, I am going to tell you that you are wrong and that you have no idea what you are talking about - hiring coaches is a crapshoot unless you are hiring Pitino or Saban.)

Worst case downside is that we pass one on one of these guys and one of these guys becomes the next Pitino. That would suck but, chances are that guy would only be here long enough for a cup of coffee and then he'd be off to somewhere with much deeper pockets. And we'd be looking for a new coach in a couple of years anyway.

I was stunned to hear that Louisville's win on Thursday was their first win in the tourney since Pitino exited stage left. That was 2017. Louisville (hoops blue blood) churned through four coaches in 7 years before landing Payne. There but for the grace of God...That could easily be us. Easily. Churning through multiple hires trying to find "the" guy. And maybe GMAC will fail and that will be us.

And if GMAC fails? Yeah, we suck for the next few years and then we try again with whoever the hot assistant or lower-level coach is at that point in time.

But maybe, just maybe, the "kid" turns out to be a good coach and we are, hopefully, set for the next quarter century.

I'll take that risk.

 

[hungrychuck]

I love Gerry but he was not my first choice for the hire.

However, now that the decision has been made, there’s only one way to react, and that’s to be all-in and support him fully.

The woulda coulda stuff is of zero value at this point.

Let’s go GMac! Let’s Go Orange!.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

great post, OP.

Orangezoo and I had this discussion in another thread.

I wanted Gerry. He wanted someone else. I agreed with everything he said and all the reasons he gave why we should not take Gerry.

I wanted Gerry for one simple reason - potential higher upside long term for the university (and the fanbase, meaning me)

Success in college athletics, IMHO, boils down to continuity. Get a really good coach and keep him for the long haul. We had that with JB for 40+ years.

IF Gerry turns out to be a really good coach, he gives us the best chance at duplicating that for the next 25+ years.

Like going from Favre to Rodgers.

To be clear, there is little to no indication that he is going to be a really good coach at the highest levels of college basketball. 2 seasons at Siena cannot possibly tell anyone that. So, from that perspective, it is a high risk hire.

So, what is the downside?

Since we are not going to be able to poach a top-level P4 coach, we are left with either assistants or coaches from lower levels as possibly hires.

They all come with a substantial amount of risk, IMHO. Not as much risk as hiring Gerry but risk nonetheless.

It is not like any of these guys are slam dunks to be great coaches (and if you try to tell me otherwise, I am going to tell you that you are wrong and that you have no idea what you are talking about - hiring coaches is a crapshoot unless you are hiring Pitino or Saban.)

Worst case downside is that we pass one on one of these guys and one of these guys becomes the next Pitino. That would suck but, chances are that guy would only be here long enough for a cup of coffee and then he'd be off to somewhere with much deeper pockets. And we'd be looking for a new coach in a couple of years anyway.

I was stunned to hear that Louisville's win on Thursday was their first win in the tourney since Pitino exited stage left. That was 2017. Louisville (hoops blue blood) churned through four coaches in 7 years before landing Payne. There but for the grace of God...That could easily be us. Easily. Churning through multiple hires trying to find "the" guy. And maybe GMAC will fail and that will be us.

And if GMAC fails? Yeah, we suck for the next few years and then we try again with whoever the hot assistant or lower-level coach is at that point in time.

But maybe, just maybe, the "kid" turns out to be a good coach and we are, hopefully, set for the next quarter century.

I'll take that risk.

Completely reasonable post.