Is Gerry McNamara the right choice?

[CellarRat]

Name me just one Boeheim assistant that has had a successful head coaching career?

[sienabkenny]

You’re right nobody exceptional. Pitino was a Boeheim assistant briefly- I wouldn’t consider him a Boeheim protege though at all. Louis Orr was a solid head coach but not a guy that really moves the needle- RIP he was a good man by all accounts. Rob Murphy was just ok at Eastern Michigan although that’s a difficult job. Mike Hopkins was mediocre at Washington also. I will say Boeheim’s coaching tree has a better track record than Jay Wright.

[hoopjunkie]

No great branches off Jims tree? Then by all means dump this kid, and lets get back to Will Brown.

[siena77]

I'm not crazy about hiring anyone who has no head coaching experience. We've failed many times with that experiment, Hewitt being the exception.

That said, I'd be okay with GMAC if he's selected. He'll bring a certain buzz in the short-term and should have strong recruiting connections.

[hoopjunkie]

Mar 23, 2024 9:51:42 GMT -5 siena77 said:

I'm not crazy about hiring anyone who has no head coaching experience. We've failed many times with that experiment, Hewitt being the exception.

That said, I'd be okay with GMAC if he's selected. He'll bring a certain buzz in the short-term and should have strong recruiting connections.

You're okay with Mike Deane only being a HC at D-3 Oswego for 2 years(24-26), but not okay with McNamara coaching 15 years in the Big East making all kinds of recruiting connections in the process? So if GMac was the HC at Oneonta for 2 years, you'd feel better about him?

[bigsaintg]

Mar 23, 2024 10:00:33 GMT -5 hoopjunkie said:

Mar 23, 2024 9:51:42 GMT -5 siena77 said:

I'm not crazy about hiring anyone who has no head coaching experience. We've failed many times with that experiment, Hewitt being the exception.

That said, I'd be okay with GMAC if he's selected. He'll bring a certain buzz in the short-term and should have strong recruiting connections.

You're okay with Mike Deane only being a HC at D-3 Oswego for 2 years(24-26), but not okay with McNamara coaching 15 years in the Big East making all kinds of recruiting connections in the process? So if GMac was the HC at Oneonta for 2 years, you'd feel better about him?

To be fair Deane was also the top assistant at Michigan St

[MTS]

Mar 23, 2024 10:21:27 GMT -5 bigsaintg said:

Mar 23, 2024 10:00:33 GMT -5 hoopjunkie said:

You're okay with Mike Deane only being a HC at D-3 Oswego for 2 years(24-26), but not okay with McNamara coaching 15 years in the Big East making all kinds of recruiting connections in the process? So if GMac was the HC at Oneonta for 2 years, you'd feel better about him?

To be fair Deane was also the top assistant at Michigan St

Deane and Izzo were both assistants under Heathcote.

[frank85]

I’d be happy with giving GMac a shot as the next head coach.
The name recognition alone would generate some interest and excitement for Siena basketball. It’s certainly clear that he wants the job and JB is pining for him.
I understand some concerns that he’s never been a head coach, but the guy has certainly paid his dues as an assistant. Is he a leader? In my opinion, yes. He proved it on the basketball court. Siena’s basketball program has already hit rock bottom. It’s time for a bold move. I don’t like “safe” choices. Siena already blew a once in a lifetime opportunity with Pitino. I hope they’ve learned from their safe picks over the last 14 years.

[sienabkenny]

Mar 23, 2024 10:34:43 GMT -5 frank85 said:

I’d be happy with giving GMac a shot as the next head coach.
The name recognition alone would generate some interest and excitement for Siena basketball. It’s certainly clear that he wants the job and JB is pining for him.
I understand some concerns that he’s never been a head coach, but the guy has certainly paid his dues as an assistant. Is he a leader? In my opinion, yes. He proved it on the basketball court. Siena’s basketball program has already hit rock bottom. It’s time for a bold move. I don’t like “safe” choices. Siena already blew a once in a lifetime opportunity with Pitino. I hope they’ve learned from their safe picks over the last 14 years.

Fair or not, him being an outstanding PG probably helps perception that he would be a solid coach. He has definitely paid his dues as an assistant. In the NIL era his connection to Weitsman doesn’t hurt either. A successful HC would be my first choice and I think the most realistic is Jordan Fee but if they do hire a first time Head Coach McNamara checks a lot of boxes.

[OneIndian]

Mar 23, 2024 9:51:42 GMT -5 siena77 said:

I'm not crazy about hiring anyone who has no head coaching experience. We've failed many times with that experiment, Hewitt being the exception.

That said, I'd be okay with GMAC if he's selected. He'll bring a certain buzz in the short-term and should have strong recruiting connections.

We’ve failed with both headcoaching experience and just assistant experience and we were successful with both. IMO it’s kind of irrelevant. You need to find the best candidate.

We’ve always run into issues because Siena and Darg didn’t have a clue as how this should be handled. We’ve always seemed to take the easy way out and valued mediocre, longevity and stability over anything else.

[brian]

They’re going to hire him because he attracts the casuals and will solve their attendance problem. Doesn’t matter if he can actually coach.

[marshotel]

These are two good candidates. I like the names that are coming out.

[sienabkenny]

Mar 23, 2024 11:31:07 GMT -5 brian said:

They’re going to hire him because he attracts the casuals and will solve their attendance problem. Doesn’t matter if he can actually coach.

I tend to agree. Luke Murray would also attract the casual also. I remember when Siena hired Fran, Pete Gillen was a name talked about which would have been a big name hire at the time. Obviously McCaffrey was the more practical hire even if it wasn’t as big a splash as Pete Gillen.

[bigsaintg]

I heard they were supposed to have 5-7 names yesterday to focus on and Gallo and Copeland might be on the list

[OneIndian]

Mar 23, 2024 11:40:24 GMT -5 sienabkenny said:

Mar 23, 2024 11:31:07 GMT -5 brian said:

They’re going to hire him because he attracts the casuals and will solve their attendance problem. Doesn’t matter if he can actually coach.

I tend to agree. Luke Murray would also attract the casual also. I remember when Siena hired Fran, Pete Gillen was a name talked about which would have been a big name hire at the time. Obviously McCaffrey was the more practical hire even if it wasn’t as big a splash as Pete Gillen.

The other benefit is the P5 assistants are well known in recruiting circles. More so than a lower level HC. They tend to have access to doors that others don’t. In this age of 1 and done, that’s extremely valuable.