Former Syracuse basketball general manager Alex Kline, in an op-ed published via Syracuse.com on Monday, is calling out so-called SU fans who hide behind burner accounts and absolutely trash 'Cuse coaches and players.
I 144 percent support Kline's thoughts here. In recent months, as it became more and more clear that third-year head coach Adrian Autry wouldn't be back for a fourth term, the amount of sheer mean-spirited toxicity that I've read on social media regarding Red, his assistants and the Orange's 2025-26 roster has been, unfortunately, quite pervasive.
Let me be clear: Fans wanting a new head coach, a new assistant staff, a different roster - all of that is fair game. Autry didn't get it done. The team went 49-48 overall in his three seasons leading his alma mater, with two straight losing campaigns under his watch and an absence in the annual NCAA Tournament that dates back to 2021.
Those who know me well know that I bleed Orange, and I try to be positive as much as I humanly can. At the same time, I'm not afraid to criticize my alma mater's sports teams when they struggle, including Syracuse basketball.
I went on record a year ago in saying that I was cool with Autry getting one more shot. And with the 15-17 record that the 'Cuse amassed in the recently completed 2025-26 stanza, SU brass had to part ways with Red and his staff, including Kline. It's unfortunate, but it had to be done.
There's a fine line, though, between being angry, disappointed and frustrated with the state of the Orange program, and what I see on social media, especially from anonymous keyboard warriors who hide behind burner accounts. They are cowards. Grow up.
Former Syracuse basketball GM Alex Kline supports his former boss, Adrian Autry.
Kline, in his op-ed, wrote in part: "Syracuse basketball fans are extremely passionate and have every right to be with high expectations every year. If you want to get the best out of your players and coaches, leave them alone on social media. They bleed the way you bleed. The amount of damage that was done to the mental health of everyone in the program by 'fans' harassing people behind burner accounts was ridiculous. Yes, I get it that our players and staff make a lot of money and are thus held to a standard. How many of us have not had a perfect day at work? This is an impossible task and some of the best coaches and players in the world make it look easier than it is. ... But if Syracuse 'fans' really want the best for their program, they will stop being part of the problem online. Support your players and coaches. Adrian Autry deserved better."
I wholeheartedly agree, Alex.
Kline went on to note that as the 2025-26 season carried on, and the Orange was losing games, Autry remained the same kind, upbeat human being, despite some fans calling him unthinkable names and personally attacking him. This kind of commentary by some so-called fans is lazy and, frankly, unproductive.
Kline says that his strong relationships with Red and the other assistants led him to believe that if Autry were fired, and SU leaders wanted Kline to stay, he planned to resign. Kline said, "it was a relief in many ways" that he, too, was fired.
If you want to contend that Autry didn't get the job done at Syracuse, and that he's not a great head coach, to reiterate, that's fair game. But Red bleeds Orange, no one wanted to win more than he did these past three seasons, and he's handled the whole situation with class and dignity.
More from Kline about his former boss: "When those on social media turned him into a human pinata, he didn’t change. You would have never truly known what he was going through as he made time for every former player and manager who stopped by to visit him at the office. He was extremely positive. He was extremely consistent. He kept a smile on his face in times where many wanted to cry. He was a calming force."
It was the correct decision to move on from Autry. Not for a second, though, should we forget how caring, kind and respectful Adrian Autry is. I'm rooting for Red in whatever he does next.