Syracuse basketball has a five-member 2022 class that could contend for a top-10 national ranking when all is said and done. Head coach Jim Boeheim will be around to coach them, at least for one year.
Boeheim’s sons, graduate student forward Jimmy Boeheim and senior shooting guard Buddy Boeheim, will be gone after the 2021-22 campaign.
Jimmy will have used up his eligibility, and while Buddy could come back for a fifth stanza due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, many media reports have suggested that Buddy will wrap up his career on the Hill after this coming season.
So, naturally, some ‘Cuse fans and college basketball pundits alike have prognosticated that perhaps Jim Boeheim could retire after his sons are done in Central New York. But it doesn’t seem that this line of thinking will actually transpire.
Syracuse basketball boss Jim Boeheim isn’t going anywhere soon.
According to numerous recent media reports, including one from 247Sports’ Stephen Bailey, Boeheim has told his five 2022 commits that he’ll coach them a season from now. I’m hopeful that he will coach these recruits for longer than that, but that’s just my own personal take.
Boeheim, 76, is embarking on his astounding 46th term at the helm of the ‘Cuse, and he’s never had a losing season. Some of his Atlantic Coast Conference contemporaries and fellow Hall of Famers, though, are moving on.
North Carolina’s Roy Williams, winner of three national titles, has already retired. Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski, who has five national championships, will hang up his whistle after this season.
But Boeheim doesn’t plan to join them in retirement for the foreseeable future.
"“The absolute truth is I coach this team and recruit the same way that I have for (45) years,” Boeheim said, according to Bailey’s recent piece. “Fifteen years ago, people asked me the question: when are you going to retire? Fifteen years ago. How many more years before you stop asking? I feel great. If I was 60 years old, would anybody even think (to ask)? So the only reason you asked that question is because I’m 76.”"
Boeheim added, “I don’t feel old. That’s why I’m still coaching.”
I get that some Syracuse basketball fans would like to see a new head coach on the Hill, but I’m not in that camp. Plus, Boeheim has said of late that it’s likely the Orange will hire another ‘Cuse coach to eventually replace Boeheim.
"He noted in the 247Sports article, “Warren Buffett still goes to work. What is he, 90? Because, you know what, I’m not running out here. I’m not coming out here and running up and down. I don’t have to work out. I don’t have to make baskets. I don’t have to run. I don’t have to guard anyone. I tell people what they have to do.”"