Syracuse is finalizing a deal to hire Gerry McNamara as its next head basketball coach, sources told ESPN. The program legend and Siena head coach led the Saints to the NCAA tournament this season, where they pushed No. 1 overall seed Duke to the brink before falling in the first round. The 16-seed became the first in tournament history to lead a 1-seed by double digits at halftime.

McNamara, who played for Syracuse from 2002-2006, was a key contributor to the Orange's 2003 national championship team. After a brief professional career, he returned to Syracuse as a graduate assistant in 2009, eventually becoming associate head coach under Jim Boeheim and Adrian Autry. He took the Siena head coaching job in 2024 and went 37-30 in two seasons.

He replaces Autry, who was fired earlier this month after three seasons without an NCAA tournament appearance. The Orange went 15-17 this season, including 6-12 in ACC play, marking their first consecutive losing seasons since 1968-69. Syracuse officials emphasized their commitment to NIL funding that would rank in the top third of the ACC during the hiring process.