On Wednesday, Jim Boeheim worked his last game as head coach of the Syracuse men’s basketball team.
Hours after a 77–74 loss to Wake Forest at the ACC Tournament, Syracuse. announced that Boheim would be replaced assistant head coach Adrian Autry. Chancellor Kent Siverud addressed the transition in a statement.
“I have no doubt that without Jim Boheim, the Syracuse Basketball program would not be as powerful as it is today,” says Chancellor Kent Siverud. “Jim has invested and dedicated much of his life to building this program, nurturing generations of student-athletes, and proudly presents his alma mater with distinction. I express my deep appreciation and gratitude to an alumnus who embodies what it means to be.” Forever orange.
Boheim was not quoted in the Syracuse press release announcing the move. He was asked about a possible resignation after Wednesday’s game, and has repeatedly told reporters that the decision is up to Syracuse.
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“It depends on the university,” Boheim said when asked if he was retiring.
He was then asked if this meant he wanted to return.
“I didn’t say that,” Boheim replied.
“Aren’t you saying you’re retiring?” the reporter asked.
“I just said it, I don’t know,” Boheim replied. “…I said it depends on the university.”
It didn’t quite clear things up. When pressed again at the end of the press conference, Boheim had this to say:
“I said it depends on the university,” Boheim continued. “They have to make a decision and it is up to them. I hope to come to a good agreement. This is yet to be seen.”
Beheim turned Syracuse into a power
Boheim is a Syracuse icon and coached the team for 47 years. This is the period during which the Oranges played their entire existence in the Big East from 1979 to 2013 and 10 seasons since the stunning transition to the ACC. This is a period that includes 35 NCAA Tournament appearances, five Final Fours, and the 2003 National Championship with Carmelo Anthony.
Behaim outlived coaching rivals and titans of the game in the form of John Thompson, Roy Williams and Mike Krzyzewski. He is 78 years old, and for the second consecutive season he finished without an application for participation in the NCAA tournaments and the third in the last four years. He was asked about his retirement for most of the season.
His 1,015 career wins rank second in Division I basketball history, behind only Krzyzewski’s 1,202.
Beheim left in a dramatic way. The Oranges rallied after trailing 13 points in the second half, only to see Wake Forest senior defenseman Davyen Williamson win the game for the Demon Deacons with a last-second three-pointer.
The loss ensured Syracuse didn’t surprise an ACC Tournament title, which is the only path to the NCAA Tournament this year.
Who is Adrian Autry?
Autry, 51, played four seasons with the Syracuse from 1990 to 1994. After an overseas professional playing career and a brief stint on the sideline at Virginia Tech, Autry returned to Syracuse as an assistant coach in 2011. his alma mater since 1976.
Pete Thamel of ESPN reports that Autry had been selected by Syracuse for Boheim’s place for a long time, and that the decision to promote him was only made on Wednesday.
“We’re lucky to have someone with the talent, experience and character of Coach Autry taking over the reins of Syracuse basketball,” athletic director John Wildhack said in a statement Wednesday. “Not only is he an exceptional trainer for Xs and Os, he is also an outstanding recruiter, dedicated mentor, dedicated community leader and passionate ambassador for Orange. I am very excited to see what he will do with this program as its head coach.”
Source: sports.yahoo.com
