The Syracuse Orange have begun the men's basketball season at a pedestrian 6-4, with their most-recent result being a loss to Hofstra.
The Siena Saints, who have one very familiar face to SU fans leading the way, are 9-2. It's their best 11-game start in 75 years.
Siena is coached by Syracuse legend Gerry McNamara. He's in his second season at the helm of the Saints.
Orange fans are about ready to see a new head coach in place of Adrian "Red" Autry as the succession of Jim Boeheim hasn't gone well.
Siena fans must be overjoyed to have McNamara.
Boeheim chose the wrong guy https://t.co/rzqJY2Lwmd
— Gmac’s Burner 🍊🏈 #FRANchise (@ThaaFRANchise) December 16, 2025
Choosing Autry wasn't illogical. Both had played at Syracuse, and Autry had 10 more years on the bench than G-Mac.
But it's easy to examine in retrospect and feel like the Orange could've gone in the other direction.
McNamara was always regarded as a great recruiter and an on-the-rise assistant. That's why Siena hired him, and he's proven the Saints' decision right.
Would he come back to Syracuse? Potentially, although that would be a layered decision also involving whether the Orange just want to go out of house for their next coach.
Right now, what's clear is that Siena got a good one in Gerry McNamara, a guy most Syracuse fans would've told you yes, indeed, he'll be a good hire.
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