Welcome Back GMAC!
3/30/2026 4:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Chancellor-elect J. Michael Haynie, Director of Athletics John Wildhack, incoming Director of Athletics Bryan B. Blair and members of the Syracuse University community were on hand to celebrate McNamara's return.
Wildhack opened the event expressing his excitement for the new era of Syracuse men's basketball and his confidence that McNamara is the right person to lead the program forward.Vibes are high at Miron Victory Court! 🍊
— Syracuse Men's Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) March 30, 2026
Watch live at 4 PM ET at https://t.co/R5rCwhICQU 📺 pic.twitter.com/hY96eRC7Li
"Gerry is ready for this," Wildhack said. "We didn't choose Gerry because he's an alum or his No. 3 hangs from the rafters of the JMA Wireless Dome. He's the right person at the right time to lead our program."
Wildhack added that McNamara embodies everything Syracuse basketball represents.
"Coach McNamara epitomizes what Syracuse, our University, our community what Syracuse basketball is," Wildhack said. "We're tough, we're gritty, we're determined and we win.""Coach McNamara epitomizes what Syracuse, our University, our community, what Syracuse basketball is... we're tough, we're gritty, we're determined, and we win."
— Syracuse Men's Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) March 30, 2026
📺 https://t.co/EJmCr2exwG pic.twitter.com/yYFXcDAk9S
Chancellor-elect Haynie echoed Wildhack's remarks, adding that McNamara's character and commitment to developing student-athletes makes him the right fit to lead the program.
"What stood out wasn't just his resume," Haynie said. "It was something more fundamental. It was that every person Gerry worked with, whether it was a player, a colleague, or a coach, said the same thing. They said, 'he makes people better, he holds them to a high standard, he cares about them as people — not just as athletes.'"
"He makes people better. He holds them to a high standard. He cares about them as people, not just as athletes."
— Syracuse Men's Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) March 30, 2026
- Chancellor-elect J. Michael Haynie on Coach McNamara pic.twitter.com/LFOQqnGglw
Blair added that Syracuse University is committed to the men's basketball program and ensuring McNamara has the resources necessary to compete and succeed.
"We are committed to making sure our program has the resources," Blair said. "We are committed to making sure our program has the support. We are committed to weaponizing the Dome. We are committed to Gerry McNamara."
"We are committed making sure our program has the resources. We are committed to making sure our program has the support. We are committed to weaponizing the Dome. We are committed to Gerry McNamara."
— Syracuse Men's Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) March 30, 2026
- Bryan Blair pic.twitter.com/xPLEqOdmd6
Blair concluded his remarks by re-introducing McNamara to the Syracuse community, this time as their new head coach.
Orange Nation, your head coach... 🍊🙌
— Syracuse Men's Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) March 30, 2026
📺 https://t.co/EJmCr2exwG pic.twitter.com/V653plbCQW
McNamara opened his remarks expressing his gratitude to be able to return home, calling it a "dream come true."
"I can't even tell you how honored, how blessed I am for this moment to be here," McNamara said. "It really is a kind of dream come true for us."
"A dream come true" 🍊🧡 pic.twitter.com/R35oNSPtmA
— Syracuse Men's Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) March 30, 2026
McNamara then turned his attention to what makes Syracuse special, reflecting on the bond he formed with the city and university during his playing days.
"My love grew for the people of this city, for the University that gave me the opportunity to showcase my gifts on the biggest stage," McNamara said. "I knew it was going to be difficult one day to leave here. So I didn't and I don't plan on it anytime soon."
All love for the 'Cuse 🍊🧡 pic.twitter.com/pp9f76mPZL
— Syracuse Men's Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) March 30, 2026
McNamara concluded his introductory press conference giving a clear and concise message: he's here to win.
"Anybody that knows me, knows why I'm here," McNamara said. "I'm here to win. It's who I am and it's who I will always be. Let's get this thing going."
Make no mistake, the mission is clear. 🍊🫡 pic.twitter.com/H95kEg8akz
— Syracuse Men's Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) March 30, 2026
McNamara, a member of the 2003 National Championship team and 15-year Syracuse assistant coach, returns to Syracuse after spending two seasons as the head coach at Siena and leading the Saints to the NCAA Tournament. McNamara remains the program's leader in all-time made three-pointers (400), free throw percentage (.888) and minutes played (4,799).
Season tickets for McNamara's inaugural season as head coach are on sale now at cuse.com/tickets.
