Syracuse Finalizing Deal To Make Gerry McNamara New Head Coach

GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 19: Head coach Gerry McNamara of the Siena Saints looks on during the first half against the Duke Blue Devils in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) Getty Images Former Syracuse basketball star Gerry McNamara is coming home.

McNamara is finalizing a deal to become the new head coach at his alma mater, ESPN first reported . The two sides are “working toward a deal," said a person with direct knowledge who was not authorized to speak publicly for McNamara. He will leave Siena after two seasons to replace former coach Adrian Autry.

McNamara, 42, went 37-30 in two seasons at Siena, leading the program to the MAAC Tournament championship and the NCAA Tournament. They pushed overall No. 1 seed Duke to the brink before losing 71-65 on Thursday.

“G-Mac, he out-coached me,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said after the game. "They were more ready to play and the readiness and toughness by out guys just to weather that storm in the 2nd half, proud of them. " “I think he’s proven himself against the No.