Syracuse is finalizing a deal to bring back one of its own to lead the men’s basketball program. Siena’s Gerry McNamara is expected to be the Orange’s next coach, sources confirmed to CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander. A deal is not done yet, but every indication is that SU will bring back one of the most beloved players in program history to lead the program in the wake of Adrian Autry’s firing earlier this month.

McNamara winning out comes after weeks of debate amongst big money players at Syracuse, per Norlander’s sources, who said there was a faction of boosters that were adamant about hiring outside the Syracuse/Jim Boeheim tree.

With a variety of potential candidates not showing serious interest due to uncertain NIL capabilities, McNamara quickly became a sentimental and practical lead candidate as the search progressed over the weekend.

College basketball coaching carousel tracker 2026: All eyes on Chapel Hill as we await a Hubert Davis decision

Matt Norlander

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A former two-time All-Big East guard at Syracuse, McNamara and Siena nearly toppled NCAA Tournament overall No. 1 seed Duke in the first round after leading the Blue Devils by double digits.

While starring as a four-year standout for the Orange, McNamara hit six 3-pointers during a first-half barrage in the 2003 national title game against Kansas. McNamara scored 2,099 career points at Syracuse. 

After studying the game under longtime Syracuse coach and Hall of Famer Jim Boeheim, McNamara took his first head coaching position with Siena prior to the 2024-25 season. He went 14-18 in his first campaign before leading the program to a 23-12 record this season.

In Thursday’s first-round NCAA Tournament game, the Blue Devils — as a 27.5-point favorite — trailed by as many as 13 points during the opening minutes of the second half before storming back to survive what would’ve been one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history.

“I’ve been doing this a long time. I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud of any group of kids I’ve been around,” McNamara said after Thursday’s loss. “I think the world and college basketball saw what I’ve been so grateful and thankful to be around all season, a group of kids that love each other, that compete at the highest level and play for each other.”

Duke’s Jon Scheyer said after the game that he was out-coached by McNamara.

“I appreciate the compliment, but it’s those kids. It’s the kids that just walked away,” McNamara said. “It’s my staff. I’ve got an incredible group in that locker room. Like I said, a lot of people have game plans. Duke’s been able to pretty much wash that out in pretty much any team they’ve played.”

McNamara’s parting words to Siena

While he wasn’t asked directly about other jobs following the loss to Duke, McNamara did address a question centered around what it has meant to him leading the Siena program. McNamara has long been rumored to be Syracuse’s top choice for its vacancy since the Orange fired Autry earlier this month after a third straight NCAA Tournament-less season.

“I’m just really proud,” McNamara said. “I said before, I thought last year we put together a group that was ready to compete right away, and we lost a lot of close games. This offseason was focused on the frontcourt, which you watched Riley Mulvey play today, Francis Folefac, Tas has been hurt, and Antonio didn’t play, we’ve got the best frontcourt, one of the best frontcourts in our league.

“Listen, your kids in a lot of ways are a reflection of you as a coach, and I couldn’t be prouder in terms of how hard they play. That gives us a chance. So when I took the job at Siena, you’ve got to understand that when I played in college, my understanding, Fran was right behind me. This program was in this tournament. The support from the alumni, from the students, from the fans, it’s real. We’ve got a real thing going in Albany.

“I wanted it to feel and look a certain way, feel a certain way in that locker room, a brotherhood, a family. I wanted it to look a certain way on the court in terms of the fight and the grit, and these kids have done all of it. They’ve done all of it.”

If McNamara is indeed the choice for the Orange, he’ll be tasked with getting Syracuse back to the Final Four for the first time since the 2015-16 season under Boeheim. Since that campaign, Syracuse has only four total NCAA Tournament wins.

Arsenal fans on X are fuming at Mikel Arteta after he included Kepa Arrizabalaga in the starting XI over David Raya to face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final. The two sides are set to lock horns at Wembley Stadium later today (Sunday, March 22).

Kepa Arrizabalaga starts in goal for the Gunners, while Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Piero Hincapie make up the defense. The midfield comprises of Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, and Kai Havertz. Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, and Viktor Gyokeres start up front to complete the starting XI.

Raya has been outstanding for Arsenal this season, keeping 21 clean sheets in 40 appearances across all competitions. However, Kepa has been the go-to star in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup this season and has kept four clean sheets in nine appearances in all competitions.

However, fans are unhappy with Arteta handing Kepa his sixth Carabao Cup start of the season due to the magnitude of the game, with one posting:

“Why will you start Kepa in a game of this magnitude? Such a shame”

Another fan tweeted:

“The biggest mistake here is not starting Raya. I hope the defense protects him all through.”

Other fans reacted below:

“I think it’ll be a really, really tight game” – Alan Shearer predicts winner of Arsenal vs Manchester City ahead of Carabao Cup final

Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has backed Arsenal to narrowly defeat Manchester City in the upcoming Carabao Cup final, claiming he wouldn’t be surprised if the game went to penalties.

The Gunners have a great chance of winning the quadruple this season and will be aiming to secure their first trophy of the 2025-26 campaign. While they narrowly defeated Crystal Palace 9-8 on penalties in the quarter-finals, Mikel Arteta and Co. beat Chelsea 4-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals to progress to the final. On the other hand, Manchester City defeated Newcastle 5-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals.

Days after witnessing Real Madrid eliminate the Cityzens in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, Shearer told Betfair (via METRO):

“I think it’ll be a great game. I think there’ll be loads of talking points. It wouldn’t even surprise me if it went to penalties. But I think Arsenal might just nick it. I think it’ll be a really, really tight game, but I’m going to go for an Arsenal win.”

The Gunners last faced City in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium, salvaging a 1-1 draw following Gabriel Martinelli’s last-minute equalizer on September 21, 2025.