Jim Boeheim’s long career at Syracuse ends, Adrian Autry takes over

Jim Boeheimenrolled at Syracuse in 1962. Played there until 1966. Startedcoaching there in 1969. Took over the program as head coach in1976.

Put simply,he was Syracuse basketball.

Untilnow.

TheBasketball Hall of Famer’s 47-year tenure as coach at Syracuse cameto an awkward end on Wednesday, with the university saying Orangeassociate head coach and former Syracuse player Adrian Autry hasbeen promoted to the job. The Orange moved quickly, making theannouncement less than three hours afterSyracuse lost to WakeForestin the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament. And ifBoeheim knew the announcement was coming, he didn’t let on at whatwas his final postgame news conference.

“It’s up tothe university,” Boeheim said. “They have to make their decision,and it’s up to them.”

Theuniversity didn’t wait long before making the decision public,saying in part: “Today, as his 47th season coaching his alma matercomes to an end, so too does his storied career at SyracuseUniversity. Associate head coach Adrian Autry ’94, one of Boeheim’sformer players and longtime assistant, has been named the program’snext head coach.”

Autry hasbeen on Boeheim’s staff since 2011, and held the title of associatehead coach since March 2017.

“There havebeen very few stronger influential forces in my life than SyracuseUniversity and Jim Boeheim,” Autry said. “They have both playedsuch important roles and without either of them, I am certain Iwould not have this incredible opportunity before me.”

The78-year-old Boeheim’s record in his 47 seasons, officially, was1,015-441. That reflects 101 wins taken away by the NCAA forviolations between the 2004-07 and 2010-12 seasons.

Whether thecount was 1,015 or 1,116, only now-retired Duke coach MikeKrzyzewski had more wins than Boeheim at the Division I level.Boeheim led the Orange to the 2003 national title — CarmeloAnthony’s lone season in Syracuse — and saw 46 of his players gettaken in NBA drafts. Among them: Anthony, Derrick Coleman, RonySeikaly, Dion Waiters, Billy Owens, Sherman Douglas and PearlWashington. Boeheim also was a USA Basketball assistant underKrzyzewski on the teams that won Olympic gold medals in 2008, 2012and 2016.

“I’ve beenvery lucky to be able to coach my college team, to play and then bean assistant coach and then a head coach, never having to leaveSyracuse,” Boeheim said in that postgame news conference, one inwhich he hinted at retirement, then hinted at returning. “It’s agreat university.”

He has, inmany ways, been the face of that university. Boeheim and his wifeJuli, through their family foundation, have raised millions forchildren’s causes across Central New York. He helped champion whatbecame known as the “Coaches vs. Cancer” phenomenon with theAmerican Cancer Society.

The 2-3zone defense he used almost exclusively caused opponents fits fordecades. His dedication was unwavering; the best examples were howhe returned to work earlier than doctors wanted after he wastreated for prostate cancer in December 2001 — the team wasstruggling and needed him, Boeheim said at the time — and how hewent to work at 12:01 a.m. on the day his nine-game suspension forNCAA violations was lifted during the 2015-16 season.

“He’s givenhis heart and soul to that school,” said Washington coach MikeHopkins, a former Boeheim assistant. “Still surprised they don’thave a statue made of him in the middle of campus. When you thinkof Syracuse University, you think of Jim Boeheim and you think ofthe Carrier Dome, and now both of those will be gone, which is verysad.”

The domestill stands, just with a different name. The program willcontinue, just with a different coach. For the first time since1976, someone other than Boeheim is now the head coach of theOrange.

“Jim hasinvested and dedicated the majority of his life to building thisprogram, cultivating generations of student-athletes andrepresenting his alma mater with pride and distinction,” ChancellorKent Syverud said in a statement distributed by the school.

Boeheim hasbeen synonymous with Syracuse for more than six decades. He wasborn in the central New York town of Lyons, not far from Syracuse.He enrolled at the school in 1962 as a walk-on, eventually becominga captain of the then-Orangemen along with Dave Bing.

In 1969, hewas hired at Syracuse as a graduate assistant. And on April 3,1976, he took the program over after Roy Danforth left for Tulane.Boeheim has led the program since; even the court at the dome whereSyracuse plays its home games has bore his name since 2002.

“There willnever be another Jim Boeheim,” Buddy Boeheim, one of Boeheim’s sonswho played for him at Syracuse, tweeted Wednesday. “The greatestcoach, father, and mentor I could ever ask for. A man that gave acity, program, and university everything he had his whole life withcountless accomplishments. Excited for a lot of golf in our future,love you pops.”

The Orangewere 17-15 this season and will miss the NCAA Tournament for asecond consecutive season. That led to criticism, which led toquestions about Boeheim’s future, and what the school wouldultimately decide.

“It’s anhonor to play for Coach Boeheim,” Syracuse’s Benny Williams saidafter the loss to Wake Forest.

A low pointcame in November 2011. Bernie Fine, then Syracuse’s associate headcoach, was fired after being accused of sexual abuse by two formerSyracuse ballboys. Boeheim initially called the ballboys liars outto get money, then apologized for being insensitive to victims ofabuse and took responsibility. Fine was never charged.

Syracusereached the NCAA Tournament 35 times under Boeheim, went to theFinal Four in five of those appearances, won 10 Big Eastregular-season titles and five more titles in that conference’stournament.

“I’ve beenjust so lucky to be able to coach at Syracuse, a place I love, Iplace I love to live,” Boeheim said. “People keep wondering aboutthat, but maybe that’s a flaw I have. But I’ve lived in Syracuse mywhole life, and I’ll live there hopefully a long time into thefuture. I think it’s a great place.”

Reactionwas mixed when word of the coaching change reached the Syracusecampus.

ChrisDavis, a freshman, wondered if a coach change will hurt theOrange.

“It’sdisappointing to be honest,” Davis said. “It hurts the students whoare here. To see him gone is heartbreaking.”

SeniorGracie Carrigan was surprised by the move, saying, “It’s shocking.He had such a great career. You almost thought he’d be hereforever, so it’s shocking that it’s actually happening.”

Addedfreshman Benjamin Perle said: “Obviously, massive shoes to fill. Ihave faith in coach Autry and the coaching staff.”

Syracuseclearly has faith in Autry as well.

He playedin 121 games in his four seasons for Boeheim, then spent more thana decade on the bench with his former coach.

“I havespent much of my time in the game of basketball learning from Jimand am so grateful to him for preparing me to carry on the winningtradition that is Orange Basketball,” Autry said.