After 47 years as head coach of Syracuse men's basketball, Jim Boeheim's storied career officially ended on Thursday, the New York university announced in a press release.
A legendary coaching tenure that turned this program into a perennial national power comes to a close after 47 years.
— Syracuse Mens Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) March 8, 2023
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Boeheim spent nearly six decades at Syracuse. He first arrived on campus in 1963 as an undergraduate student and walk-on for the men's basketball team. He spent the next four years at the university and graduated in 1966 before returning to the team in 1969 as an assistant coach. Following seven seasons in that role, Boeheim was promoted to head coach of the program in 1976.
Over the next 47 seasons, Boeheim led the Orange to 10 Big East regular-season titles, five Big East Tournament championships, five Final Fours and one national championship (2003) while collecting an overall record of 1,015-440, a winning percentage of .698. Boeheim was named Big East Coach of the Year four times during his tenure and was awarded several national coach of the year honors in that span.
"There is no doubt in my mind that without Jim Boeheim, Syracuse Basketball would not be the powerhouse program it is today," Syracuse Chancellor Kent Syverud said in a statement. "Jim has invested and dedicated most of his life to building this program, cultivating generations of student-athletes and representing his alma mater with pride and distinction. I extend my deep appreciation and gratitude to an alumnus who epitomizes what it means to be 'Forever Orange.'"
Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack also extended his gratitude to Boeheim for his service as head coach of the Orange. Wildhack also claimed the 78-year-old Lyons, New York, native is one of the "biggest and best names in professional and intercollegiate athletics."
"Few people are on the same playing field as Coach Boeheim," Wildhack said. "Jim Boeheim is synonymous with excellence, grit and determination. Jim is a rare breed of coach, building a program that is among the best in college basketball for nearly five decades. I am incredibly grateful for what he has done for Syracuse Basketball, Syracuse Athletics and Syracuse University as a whole."
Boeheim will be replaced by one of his former players and longtime Syracuse assistant Adrian Autry as head coach. Autry was a point guard for the Orange from 1990-94 and had a prosperous professional career in Europe and the United States Basketball League. Autry started coaching after his career ended and eventually returned to Syracuse before the 2011-12 season. He was later promoted to associate head coach in 2017.
Meet your new head coach, a man who has bled Orange for over 30 years. Congrats, Adrian Autry!
— Syracuse Mens Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) March 8, 2023
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"There have been very few stronger influential forces in my life than Syracuse University and Jim Boeheim. They have both played such important roles, and without either of them, I am certain I would not have this incredible opportunity before me," Autry said. "I have spent much of my time in the game of basketball learning from Jim and am so grateful to him for preparing me to carry on the winning tradition that is Orange Basketball. It's hard to imagine a world without him on the bench, but together with our coaches, student-athletes and fans, we will build on decades of success as a winning program."
