One of the big questions surrounding Syracuse basketball is when head coach Jim Boeheim will retire. We don’t know the answer to that question yet, but we did learn on Wednesday that there is a plan in place for when it happens.
"We have a plan in place, a good plan, an ironclad plan."
Jim Boeheim says despite him not making the decision as to who replaces him, Syracuse University is in no way winging it. pic.twitter.com/PArteVKfHK
— Cuse Sports Talk (@CuseSportsTalk_) March 2, 2022
“We have a plan in place, a good plan, an ironclad plan,” said Boeheim during an appearance on Brent Axe’s On The Block radio show. “It’s not my decision. I’m not naming the coach like people say all the time.”
While that might seem like clarifying information, it’s also worth noting that Syracuse has had some pretty ironclad plans in place for Boeheim’s retirement before that never materialized.
In 2015, Boeheim reportedly told SU’s Chancellor that he planned to retire in three years. He did not.
Mike Hopkins was formally named as Boeheim’s successor in 2015 as well. Hopkins is now at Washington and Boeheim signed an extension.
It had also long been said that Boeheim only wanted to coach long enough to see sons Buddy or Jimmy join the team. But both of them will be leaving Syracuse after this season and the Hall of Fame coach has already affirmed he plans to return next season.
Hello. So a thing happened #OntheBlock today @ESPNSyracuse. Jim Boeheim called in and revealed, among other things, that there is a succession plan in place for him at Syracuse. @MikeWatersSYR has a good summary here. https://t.co/Sq3NZRoRb4
— Brent Axe (@BrentAxeMedia) March 2, 2022
The presumption is that the 77-year-old wants to at least get back to 1,000 official wins before retiring. He currently sits at 997-423, though that discounts 101 victories that the NCAA stripped him of due to violations.
There have certainly been a lot of grumblings about the state of the Syracuse basketball program in recent years. While Syracuse has never finished with a losing record in his 42 seasons there, Boeheim’s squad is in danger of doing so this year. The Orange also haven’t won 20 games in the regular season since 2019, though they have made a reputation out of making improbably runs in the NCAA Tournament.
As far as who might replace Boeheim as head coach, the obvious money would be on one associate head coach Adrian Autry, assistant coach Gerry McNamara, or assistant coach Allen Griffin. UW coach Mike Hopkins, once the heir apparent for the position, could also get first dibs, though excitement over him has cooled in recent seasons as the Huskies have struggled.
However long Boeheim decides to keep coaching, the news that there is indeed a plan in place to replace him certainly got a lot of Syracuse fans and college basketball folks talking on Twitter.
That’s news. https://t.co/3yuiEoRabQ
— chris carlson (@ccarlsononSU) March 2, 2022
It’s not Succession without a Gerry. McNamara or Kellman. @succession https://t.co/7XIEPhIrZy
— Greg Thompson (@gregthompson27) March 2, 2022
https://t.co/EmfKEJWClN pic.twitter.com/WpSq5txdyk
— John Cassillo (@JohnCassillo) March 2, 2022
One of my favorite things is when Boeheim tries to earnestly explain he has no more power at Syracuse University than the bookstore staff. He is just but a feather floating in the breeze. https://t.co/GYpCx3sHhd
— Sean Keeley (@SeanKeeleyIsMe) March 2, 2022
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before https://t.co/g6WF6p6eQ4
— Andrew Rush (@TheAndrewRush) March 2, 2022
So it’s gotta be Autry or GMac. An “iron-clad” plan wouldn’t include someone currently coaching at another school. https://t.co/LzPv9hP7jy
— Tom H (@tomhartnett21) March 2, 2022
