Unfortunately, the overwhelming sentiment seems to be that Adrian Autry will not be retained after the 2025-26 season as the Orange's head coach. Red is in his third campaign leading the 'Cuse, and the current term has proven a huge disappointment as SU prepares for his regular-season finale on Saturday afternoon at the JMA Wireless Dome against Pittsburgh.
My Inside the Loud House colleague, Bryan Zarpentine, is hoping that South Florida head coach Bryan Hodgson will be the next 'Cuse boss. Zarpentine is not alone here, based on what Orange fans are opining on social media and in chat rooms.
Now, assuming that Autry will be fired at the conclusion of 2025-26, Hodgson will likely be on the short list, among other candidates. Over the past few weeks, I've asked my fellow SU fans for some names of other candidates whom they would like to be considered as the next 'Cuse head coach.
However, Syracuse basketball should cross these names off as possible Adrian Autry replacements.
Rick Pitino
Yes, Pitino was an assistant at the 'Cuse under the legendary Hall of Famer Jim Boeheim decades ago, but Pitino has a great thing going at Big East Conference member St. John's, and there's no way he's giving that up to lead SU.
Jay Wright
Wright won two national championships at Villanova, in 2016 and 2018. He then turned to television as a college basketball analyst. In August of last year, word broke that Wright would step away from being a full-time TV analyst to focus on his role as a special assistant to the president at Villanova. Wright doesn't appear to have any interest in becoming a college basketball head coach again.
Tony Bennett
Bennett and his famed pack-line defense were spectacularly successful at fellow Atlantic Coast Conference school Virginia. While Syracuse basketball fans will never forget SU's massive comeback win against the Cavaliers in the 2016 Elite Eight, UVA would secure a national championship in 2019. Late last month, the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers named Bennett as an NBA Draft adviser to Rob Pelinka, who is the Lakers' president of basketball operations and general manager.
Billy Donovan
When Boeheim retired in March of 2023, some Orange fans floated Donovan's name as a potential successor. Donovan won back-to-back national titles with Florida in 2006 and 2007. He's currently the head coach of the Chicago Bulls. I can't imagine he'd give up an NBA gig to return to college and guide SU.
Carmelo Anthony
Melo isn't a former coach, but some 'Cues fans genuinely seem to want him to be the next Syracuse basketball head coach. While Anthony is a Hall of Fame player and won a natty on the Hill, I can't imagine he'd have any interest in this position. Plus, he has no prior coaching experience.
Gerry McNamara
GMac is beloved in Central New York, and he's doing a wonderful job in his second season as Siena's head coach. It wouldn't surprise me if McNamara is considered as Autry's replacement. Personally, I'd like to see 'Cuse brass bring in someone with a bit more collegiate head coaching experience.
Mike Hopkins
Coach Hop was supposed to be Boeheim's successor, but we know how that went down. Hopkins took the head coaching job at Washington, and he was solid in his first two seasons. But it went downhill after that, and Hopkins was fired after a 118–106 record over seven campaigns leading the Huskies. Hopkins is likely getting serious consideration as the next Syracuse basketball head coach, and I get it. But I'd prefer SU go in a different direction, and I mean no disrespect to Mike, who is an excellent recruiter.
Jason Hart
The former Orange standout point guard is currently an assistant coach at Kentucky. He's also been an assistant at Pepperdine and Southern California, as well as the head coach of the NBA's G League Ignite team. If Hart were to be considered for the SU head coaching position, then Syracuse University leaders should just hire Hopkins, who has more overall experience.
Current Syracuse basketball staff
The Orange's current assistant coaches are former 'Cuse star guard Allen Griffin, Brenden Straughn and Dan Engelstad, who most recently was the head coach at Mount St. Mary's. I'm wishing all these guys well, especially Griff, who played at SU while I was a student there, but none of these assistants should be the next Syracuse basketball head coach.