Juli Boeheim has a simple message for whoever is running the Syracuse coaching search: think carefully before you go outside the family.
“For 50 years, we’ve had one of our own,” she said. “You’re either on one side of that coin or the other — you want an outsider, or you want to keep it in the family. I don’t think we really know what we’re getting into if we go outside, because we’ve never had that here. There’s a lot to be said for family.”
She has spent five decades at the center of Syracuse basketball. Her husband Jim built one of the most recognizable programs in the country over 47 years on the bench, and Juli understands exactly what that carries.
“You go anywhere in the world and wear a Syracuse shirt, someone is going to come up to you,” she said. “And usually, it’s because of Syracuse basketball.”
The stakes, in her view, couldn’t be higher.
“It’s important that Syracuse basketball stays iconic.”
NEW: Juli Boeheim weighs in on who the next SU Coach should be🏀
“I think about what we’ve had for fifty years. We’ve had one of our own. I don’t think we really know what we’re getting ourselves into when we say we want somebody from the outside.” pic.twitter.com/kKkA1BUxpq
— Samantha Croston (@SamCroston1) March 21, 2026
How The Search Got Here
Five straight missed NCAA Tournaments — a drought not seen since the 1960s — finally cost Adrian Autry his job.
The irony is hard to miss. Autry was a Boeheim recruit and longtime assistant, the clearest example of keeping it in the family. It didn’t save him.
New athletic director Bryan Blair has said the decision will be made collaboratively, that a search committee is being formed, and that while he has spoken to agents, he has not yet directly contacted candidates. He has been clear the university does not intend to rush.
The Name Everyone’s Talking About
The candidate generating the most buzz from within the Syracuse family is Gerry McNamara, point guard on the 2003 national championship team and current head coach at Siena. He recently pushed the No. 1 overall seed Duke to within six points in the NCAA Tournament.
Jim Boeheim has been his most forceful advocate.
“Not to even think about Gerry McNamara is coaching malpractice,” he said, calling the Siena turnaround “probably the best turnaround in college basketball this year.”
Former players agree.
“I think what he’s done at Siena is incredible,” said Eric Devendorf. “He’s proven himself against the best team in the country — not just a No. 1 seed, the No. 1 overall seed in the entire tournament. Whatever he’s selling, they’re buying.”
Mookie Jones was equally direct.
“It’s always important to keep it in house. I think it’s a perfect fit.”
Juli Boeheim didn’t name names. She didn’t need to.
For fifty years, Syracuse basketball has known exactly what it is because the man in charge already did. This hire will decide whether that identity is preserved — or handed to someone who has to learn it on the fly.
