Syracuse, N.Y. — Gerry McNamara will be the new head men’s basketball coach at Siena College.
The former Syracuse basketball star and current Orange associate head coach will take over for Carmen Maciariello, who was fired after the Saints went 4-28 this season. Siena was 68-72 during Maciariello’s tenure, but this season’s record was the worst in program history. McNamara emerged last weekend as the leading candidate for the job.
McNamara interviewed with Siena athletic director John D’Argenio and president Charles Seifert on Sunday. By then, rumors were already swirling that he would become Siena’s next head coach. Details, though, still needed to be ironed out before the deal was completed.
The Albany Times-Union reported this morning that the sides came to an agreement late Thursday night and signed a memorandum of understanding on contractual terms, a common practice in the industry.
“I want to thank President Seifert and Athletic Director John D’Argenio for this incredible opportunity,” McNamara said in a statement. “I am so honored and excited to lead Siena College as the new head men’s basketball coach. My family and I can’t wait to get started and embrace Siena and the Capital Region.”
“We are ecstatic to welcome Gerry, Katie, and their children into our Siena community,” said Siena College D’Argenio said. “Gerry has a great track record for recruiting and developing talented players, and he has a passion for basketball that will resonate with our fan base. His knowledge for the game and coaching acumen will position us to compete for MAAC Championships.”
Siena will introduce McNamara as its 19th head coach at a news conference Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the atrium of MVP Arena. The event will be streamed live on Siena All-Access at sienasaints.com/watch.
McNamara, who turned 40 last August, was promoted to associate head coach last spring, when Adrian Autry was named Syracuse’s head coach following the retirement of Jim Boeheim. He has long desired to become a head basketball coach and in Siena, he will get that chance in an area he’s familiar with and at a program that needs an infusion of new blood.
McNamara initially came to Syracuse as a graduate assistant after Boeheim suggested he consider coaching as a profession. Boeheim promoted him to a full-time assistant in 2011-12 and assigned him to coach the guard groups. Former Syracuse players have described McNamara as a passionate competitor who puts in the extra hours and helps them get better.
“He’s as ready to be a head coach as anybody I’ve ever worked with,” Boeheim said during a recent telephone conversation. “He understands the game, he understands people. He’s really good with people, he’s a really good recruiter. He sees the game as well as anybody, understands what it takes to win and knows how to push people. I would say he’s one of the two most competitive players I’ve ever coached. Sherman Douglas and him.”
Siena competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Quinnipiac won the league title this season; Rick Pitino returned Iona to national prominence before departing for St. John’s.
Aside from this season, Siena has been competitive in the MAAC. The Saints finished fourth in 2023, third in 2022 and first in 2021.
Basketball observers believe Siena is positioned to be a player in that league. McNamara, who grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and has spent the entirety of his coaching career at Syracuse, knows the area well and has broadly recruited the Northeast and beyond.
“Four coaches who coached there went on to major college jobs,” Boeheim said. “Very good fan base, they’ve had great success there. I think it’s a really good job.”
Syracuse legend Louis Orr, who died in December 2022, was one of those coaches. Orr went from Siena to Seton Hall in 2001.
McNamara, of course, achieved lofty status in Syracuse from the moment he stepped onto campus in 2002. He and the Carmelo Anthony-led Orange won Syracuse’s only men’s basketball national title in 2003. McNamara’s six 3s in the first half of the national title game (he was 6-of-8 from that distance) helped the Orange defeat Kansas, 81-78. The 6-foot-1 guard scored 19 in the SU’s semifinal win over Texas.
McNamara is a dynamic public speaker, his speech after SU retired his jersey memorable for its mix of heartfelt devotion to his time in Syracuse and its humor. He now gets to imprint the Siena program with his own identity.
He and his wife, Katie, are the parents of four children, Gerry, Patrick, Maggie and Grace.
“I want to congratulate Gerry McNamara on his hiring as the men’s basketball coach at Siena College,” said Syracuse Director of Athletics John Wildhack. “There are very few individuals who have contributed to our men’s basketball program and all of Orange Nation as dramatically as Gerry has. He displayed an unmatched competitive desire as a student-athlete at Syracuse and, for the past 15 years he has shared his passion for and knowledge of the game with our student-athletes as a coach. I, along with all my colleagues in Syracuse athletics, wish Gerry, Katie and their family the best as they embark on this new opportunity.”
Maciariello, 45, had two years left on his contract when he was fired, the Albany Times-Union reported. He was paid $362,450 in 2021-22 with an additional $59,000 listed as “other” according to Propublica.org’s most recent contract information available for the former Siena coach.
McNamara’s departure opens a position on Autry’s staff, where Allen Griffin and Brenden Straughn are the two remaining assistant coaches and Pete Corasaniti is the director of basketball operations.
Syracuse’s Gerry McNamara celebrates Eric Devendorf’s basket with seconds to go in their game against Georgetown in the semifinals of the Big East Tournament. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com
Syracuse’s Gerry McNamara grimaces in pain after hurting himself in the second half against Kent State at the Carrier Dome.
Gerry McNamara makes an attempt to save ball from going out of bounds while Albany’s Jamar Wilson awaits the save.
Gerry McNamara reacts to his second foul of the game being called on him in the first half against Maryland in Denver at the NCAA Tournament in 2004.
Syracuse’s Gerry McNamara and Eric Devendorf grab a breather between fouls shots in the second half of their game with Bethune Cookman in 2005.
Syracuse’s Gerry McNamara gets hugged by teammate Hakim Warrick after McNamara hit two big 3-pointers against Boston College in the second half of a game in 2004.
Syracuse’s Gerry McNamara threads the needle on a pass throught the arms of Memphis defenders Clyde Wade and Anthony Rice in the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament in New York.
Gerry McNamara expresses his displeasure after missing a layup against Cornell in second-half action at the Carrier Dome.
Syracuse point guard Gerry McNamara steals the ball from Virginia Tech’s Markus Sailes in the second half of a game in 2004.
Syracuse’s Gerry McNamara falls to the floor to get control of a loose ball in front of USF’s McHugh Mattis in first-half action at the Carrier Dome.
Syracuse’s Gerry McNamara gets a hug from assistant coach Mike Hopkins after being pulled from the game with about three minutes left in the game against Towson in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania in 2005.
Gerry McNamara, Darryl Watkins of Syracuse, and Cornell’s Lenny Collins scramble for a loose ball under the Cornell basket in the second half of a game in 2005.
Syracuse’s Gerry McNamara lays on the floor after injuring his ankle in the second half of a game against St. John’s in 2005.
Syracuse’s Gerry McNamara dribbles across the floor of the American West Arena in Phoenix during his team’s practice for its NCAA game against Alabama in 2004.
SU’s Gerry McNamara after the win against Oklahoma during NCAA Elite Eight at the Pepsi Center in Albany, New York. Photo by Stephen Cannerelli.
Syracuse assistant coach Gerry McNamara and his son, Gerry, at Orange Madness at the Carrier Dome on Oct 17, 2014. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com
Syracuse Orange guard Gerry McNamara passes around defender Terry George of St. Rose in an exhibition game at the dome. Syracuse won the game 91-59 in
2004.
Syracuse University senior basketball point guard Gerry McNamara in 2005.
Syracuse’s Gerry McNamara reacts to losing to Vermont, 60-57 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Syracuse’s Gerry McNamara has his shot blocked by Texas A&M’s Marlon Pompey in the second half of their game in the NCAA Tournament.
Gerry McNamara leaves the basketball court for the final regular-season game of his career on Senior Day in 2006. He gets an embrace from head coach Jim Boeheim.
Gerry McNamara is congratulated by fans who ran out onto the court after Syracuse’s win over Notre Dame at the Carrier Dome. Billy Edelin is hugged by Syracuse assistant coach Mike Hopkins.
Syracuse’s Gerry McNamara grimaces and grabs his chest while walking back to the bench during a timeout. Pittsburgh had just made a big run during the Panthers’ 73-60 win in 2003.
Kueth Duany, Gerry McNamara and Carmelo Anthony regroup after a foul was called on Syracuse in the first half against Pitt in 2003.
SU’s Gerry McNamara during the win against Kansas in the NCAA title game at the Louisiana Superdome in 2003. Photo by Stephen Cannerelli.
Syracuse freshman basketball players Gerry McNamara, Carmelo Anthony and Billy Edelin in 2003.
Syracuse’s Gerry McNamara steals the ball from Albany’s Earv Opong in first half action at the dome.
SU’s Gerry McNamara and Josh Pace celebrate McNamara’s last-second shot of the first half against Missouri at the Carrier Dome. Photo by Stephen Cannerelli.
The Adidas camp in Teaneck, New Jersey was the location where some of the top high school basketball players showed what they could do. Gerry McNamara, who will play for Syracuse in the 2002-2003 season, was also in New Jersey.
Gerry McNamara gets a pat on the head from teammate Josh Pace as the game against Memphis became a blowout in Syracuse’s favor. Syracuse played Memphis in the championship game of the coaches vs. Cancer Classic in NYC.
Syracuse’s Eric Devendorf and Gerry McNamara talk at halfcourt during a free-throw attempt by Louie McCroskey in overtime against UConn at Madison Square Garden.
Scranton’s Bishop Hannan basketball phenom Gerry McNamara had already committed to Syracuse University for the 2002-03 season in this photo taken in 2001.
Gerry McNamara leaves the basketball court for the final regular-season game of his career on Senior Day. The Orange lost to Villanova in 2006.
Gerry McNamara celebrates at the end of Syracuse’s game with Texas in 2003 Final Four. Photo by Stephen Cannerelli.
Syracuse’s Gerry McNamara grimaces in pain after hurting his leg midway through the first half of the Orange’s game against Cornell in 2004.
Gerry McNamara whoops it up after making a great pass to Carmelo Anthony off a scramble, with Anthony making a 3-pointer as Syracuse beat Boston College in 2003.
Syracuse assistant coach Gerry McNamara wears a mask during a game between Syracuse and North Carolina on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com.
Gerry McNamara raises his arms to get the crowd going after he makes a 3-pointer in the second half of a game against Alabama in the Phoenix Regional of the NCAA Tournament.
Syracuse’s Gerry McNamara passes off to the waiting hands of Craig Forth as Memphis’s Joey Dorsey defends in the championship game of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic in New York.
Syracuse’s assistant coaches Gerry McNamara and Adrian Autry drink coffee in the tunnel at the Carrier Dome before the start of the Syracuse-Loyola game on Nov. 25, 2014. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com
Syracuse University senior basketball point guard Gerry McNamara in 2005.
Gerry McNamara the star of Syracuse’s win over BYU in the first round of the NCAA’s, sits alone before the start of the players’ press conference in 2004.
Syracuse assistant coach Gerry McNamara and his son watch the Syracuse women’s basketball team scrimmage at the Orange Madness event in the Syracuse University’s Carrier Dome, Friday Oct. 21, 2016. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com
Assistant coach Gerry McNamara cheers on Syracuse guard Joseph Girard III. Syracuse plays Duke in the ACC tournament in Brooklyn, New York on March 10, 2022. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com
Demetris Nichols, Gerry McNamara, Hakim Warrick, Josh Pace and Josh Wright in 2004.
Syracuse University basketball players Hakim Warrick, Craig Forth and Gerry McNamara in 2003.
SU’s Gerry McNamara after the win over Oklahoma during the Elite Eight in Albany, New York.
Syracuse University basketball players Gerry McNamara and Hakim Warrick smile when asked if there were thoughts of Carmelo Anthony knowing that the team was going to Denver for the first round of the NCAA Tournament in 2004.
Gerry McNamara answers questions from the press on media day for the Syracuse University men’s basketball team in 2005.
Gerry McNamara cuts walk-on teammate Jake Presutti’s hair in Gerry’s bathroom, before SU men’s basketball media day in 2005.
Syracuse assistant coach Gerry McNamara during an ACC Tournament game against North Carolina on Wednesday, March 7, 2018, at the Barclays Center. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com SYR
Syracuse assistant coach Gerry McNamara works with son Gerry before the team takes on Indiana (Pennsylvania). in an exhibition game played at the JMA Wireless Dome on Oct. 25, 2022.
Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com
The Syracuse coaching staff get together before the game against Notre Dame on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, at the Joyce Center in South Bend, Indiana. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com
Syracuse assistant coach Gerry McNamara and head coach Jim Boeheim during a game against Virginia on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Virginia. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com.
Syracuse assistant coach Gerry McNamara. Syracuse.com reporters interview former Syracuse Orange basketball players and coaches on the 2003 National Championship team. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com
Assistant coach Gerry McNamara covers his eyes after a bad play during a game against Eastern Washington on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, N.Y. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com
