McNamara Lays Down ‘Non-Negotiables’ as Syracuse Head Coaching Era Begins

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Gerry McNamara is making one thing clear as he takes over Syracuse Orange men’s basketball: the program’s return to prominence starts with culture.

The newly named head coach said Wednesday he believes he’s the right person to lead Syracuse back to national relevance on Cuse Sports Talk on ESPN Syracuse, bringing an “all-business” mindset to a program he knows intimately.

McNamara, a former Orange guard from 2002 to 2006 and a key member of the program’s national championship team, spent the last 15 years on Syracuse’s coaching staff before departing for his first head coaching opportunity at Siena. Speaking on ESPN Syracuse, he admitted leaving was emotional — but returning isn’t.

Instead, McNamara is focused squarely on results.

“My goal is to win and get the program back on track,” he said.

Central to that plan is a set of non-negotiables centered on effort, connection and accountability.

“I think the biggest thing, what people need to understand of what I’m trying to bring there is the culture piece — the brotherhood, the love for one another, the bond, the fight,” McNamara said. “That’s all important.”

He added that consistent competitiveness will define who sees the floor.

“I want an incredibly connected unit that the team’s going to be proud of because there’s not a second of any possession that they don’t compete,” he said. “That’s non-negotiable.

You can’t get on the court for me if you don’t do those things.

The university also announced it will hold a ticketed welcome event and press conference for McNamara on Monday at 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, roster movement is already worth monitoring.

Former Siena Saints men’s basketball guard Gavin Doty has entered the transfer portal after a standout season. Doty led Siena with 18 points per game, while also ranking second on the team in rebounds (7.3 per game) and total steals (44).

While Doty has not announced his next destination, the Fulton native hinted at a potential reunion with McNamara following Siena’s NCAA Tournament game against Duke, saying he would want to play for him “for the rest of his career.”