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Report: Siena close to finalizing deal to make long-time Syracuse assistant Gerry McNamara head coach

FaceProfileby:Thomas Goldkamp•03/25/24
Gerry McNamara, Syracuse basketball assistant coach
Photo by Mark Konezny / USA TODAY Sports

Long-time Syracuse assistant coach Gerry McNamara, also one of the most productive players in the program’s history, is reportedly on the move.

According to Rodger Wyland of WNYT, Siena is close to finalizing a deal that will make McNamara its next head basketball coach. McNamara has been on staff at Syracuse in various full-time capacities since 2011.

The former Syracuse star was elevated to the associate head coach position on the staff when Adrian Autry was named the program’s head coach prior to this season.

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He was a prized recruit out of high school, named the 2002 Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year. He was also a fourth-team Parade Magazine All-American. He fielded offers from dozens of high-profile programs, including Duke and Florida, but ultimately decided to go to Syracuse to play for Jim Boeheim.

McNamara had a stellar four-year playing career for the Orange, suiting up from 2002-06.

That decision certainly paid off for him.

McNamara was a freshman when Syracuse went 30-5 and won the national championship, led by superstar Carmelo Anthony. McNamara started in every game, averaging 13.3 points, 4.4 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game.

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That was just the beginning of his illustrious career.

As a junior, McNamara made 107 3-pointers, setting the Syracuse school record. He would go on to finish with 400 career 3-pointers, also setting the career mark for the program. He logged a school record 4,799 minutes during his four-year career.

Following his days as a player at Syracuse, McNamara briefly pursued a professional career. He played overseas and in the NBA Developmental League. He got a training camp shot with the Utah Jazz in 2008, but he was the last player released.

With his playing days behind him, McNamara turned to coaching, returning to Syracuse as a graduate assistant in 2009. He earned his way onto the full-time coaching staff in 2011.