Rivals.com has published its rankings of the top-10 coaching jobs in collegiate hoops, and Syracuse basketball didn’t get included.
Historically speaking, Syracuse basketball is one of the most-successful programs across the country, by a slew of metrics.
We all know about head coach Jim Boeheim’s success on the Hill dating back more than four decades. But the team as a whole finds itself in the top 10 all-time as it pertains to an abundance of categories, whether it’s total victories, NCAA Tournament wins, Final Four appearances, consecutive seasons without a losing record – the list goes on and on.
Yes, the weather in Central New York can prove rough, and the Orange isn’t deemed a blue blood like Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina.
Since moving to the Atlantic Coast Conference for the 2013-14 stanza, the ‘Cuse has somewhat struggled, especially in regular-season play.
However, Syracuse basketball is a well-known brand with top-notch practice facilities, the squad is regularly on national television, and it suits up in front of massive crowds at the newly renovated Carrier Dome.
Still, Rivals.com writer Dan McDonald recently penned a column where he put forth the top-10 coaching jobs throughout college basketball, noting that he came up with these ratings “based on how attractive the job would be if it opened today.” The Orange didn’t get featured in McDonald’s rankings.
My allegiance to the ‘Cuse aside, I think that solid arguments can get made to have Syracuse basketball on this list, as well as off of it. In order, McDonald’s top 10 is Kentucky, Kansas, North Carolina, Duke, Arizona, Louisville, Indiana, Florida, Villanova and Gonzaga.
The top four are no-brainers. I totally understand Arizona, Villanova and Gonzaga. Especially Villanova, given that the Wildcats claimed recent NCAA titles in 2016 and 2018.
Yet, on the flip side, I do believe that the Orange head-coaching position is on par with Louisville, Indiana and Florida. In all fairness, though, those three groups have each captured multiple national championships, whereas Syracuse basketball has not.
From my perspective, if the ‘Cuse – and Boeheim – could cut down the nets once more, that probably changes a lot of folks’ opinions on the Orange program. In any event, this is a fun topic to debate!