Gerry McNamara has inked an agreement to coach the men’s basketball team at Siena — opting to leave Syracuse after an illustrious tenure spanning two decades, during which he excelled both as a player and an assistant before climbing the ranks to become associate head coach for the Orange.
Siena unveiled McNamara’s appointment on Friday, marking his debut as a collegiate head coach. He steps into the shoes of Carmen Maciariello, an alumnus of Siena, who was relieved of his duties following a 68-72 mark over five seasons — culminating in a miserable 4-28 performance this past season.
McNamara has been a fixture within the Syracuse coaching staff since 2009, initially joining as a graduate assistant and subsequently serving over a decade as an assistant under the helm of Jim Boeheim. Transitioning into the previous season, he assumed the role of associate head coach for the Orange following Adrian Autry’s promotion to head coach.
At 40 years old, McNamara retains the distinction of being the fourth-highest scorer in Syracuse’s basketball history — trailing only Laurence Moten, Derrick Coleman, and John Wallace. He notably contributed to Syracuse’s 2003 National Championship triumph, playing a pivotal role on the team led by Carmelo Anthony. In the title game against Kansas, McNamara had an 18-point performance to help seal the Orange’s 81-78 victory.
“I am so honored and excited to lead Siena College as the new head men’s basketball coach,” McNamara said in a statement. “My family and I can’t wait to get started and embrace Siena and the Capital Region.”
“Gerry’s illustrious career and championship pedigree at Syracuse University, paired with his exceptional skills in mentoring young talent, align perfectly with the high expectations and storied tradition of Siena basketball,” Siena president Chuck Siefert said in a statement. “His appointment is not just about restoring championship success — a standard our fans rightly anticipate — but it also symbolizes Siena’s ascent in the broader collegiate landscape.”
