Siena College has hired its new head men’s basketball coach and it’s a familiar name among upstate and Central New York college basketball fans.
Gerry McNamara, the longtime Syracuse assistant coach and former standout player, has been hired to be the program’s 19th head coach.
“I want to thank President Seifert and Athletic Director John D’Argenio for this incredible opportunity,” McNamara said in a statement in Siena’s official release. “I am so honored and excited to lead Siena College as the new head men’s basketball coach. My family and I can’t wait to get started and embrace Siena and the Capital Region.”
McNamara starred for the Orange from 2002-06, never missing a start in his four-year career while helping the Orange win their only national title in 2003.
He joined the program’s coaching ranks in 2011, and this past season he was the associate head coach under Adrian “Red” Autry, the program’s first new head basketball coach since 1976.
McNamara will now join a different college team for the first time in his career.
During his time with the Orange, McNamara scored the fourth-most points in program history and finished second in steals, third in assists and first in 3-pointers made with 400.
Syracuse won its first national title during his freshman year, with McNamara hitting six three-pointers in the first half of the 81-78 win over Kansas in the championship game.
In the 2005-06 season, McNamara won the Big East Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award after leading the Orange to the title.
Syracuse became the first conference team to win the title by winning four games in four days.
G-Mac, as Syracuse fans call him, is one of, if not the biggest, fan favorites in program history.
His No. 3 jersey was retired just last year alongside Hakim Warrick’s No. 3.
When it became official that McNamara would be leaving the Orange for Siena, the Syracuse men’s basketball X account thanked the legendary player in a tweet.
McNamara faces an uphill battle to bring Siena back to national relevance.
The Saints posted an abysmal 4-28 record this season, finishing last in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
Siena has not made the NCAA Tournament since 2010, when the Saints lost to Purdue in the opening round, 72-64.
The school is hoping that McNamara’s coaching and tournament experience will help lead the Saints back to the Big Dance.
“Gerry has a great track record for recruiting and developing talented players, and he has a passion for basketball that will resonate with our fan base,” Siena athletic director John D’Argenio said in the school’s official release. “His knowledge for the game and coaching acumen will position us to compete for MAAC Championships.”
