In the world of college basketball coaching vacancies, the news comes fast and furious, and you aren't always entirely sure what's true until a contract is actually signed.

Such is the case with the opening at Syracuse, who moved on from Adrian Autry after three seasons earlier this week. 

We know that Syracuse had a preliminary list of six names that they were interested in. We've also heard that SU is 'working hard' to hire Bryan Hodgson, currently the head coach at South Florida. Hodgson is certainly a hot candidate around the country, and he's also in play at Providence, who just fired Kim English.

Also in the mix for Syracuse is former point guard Gerry McNamara, who is currently the head coach at Siena University. He's led the Saints to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010, about to finish his second year as head coach.

There's also competition for his services, with former head coach Jim Boeheim saying that McNamara has interest from ACC-rivals Georgia Tech and Boston College. College basketball insider Adam Zagoria corroborates that, saying that McNamara has already interviewed with Boston College.

While the hiring process will likely halt a bit as Siena goes through its tournament run, it's noteworthy that Syracuse could have to act with more urgency if McNamara is the guy they ultimately want.

McNamara famously played four years at Syracuse as well, helping SU win its lone national title in 2003. He had his number retired in 2023. He also spent 15 years on staff under Boeheim and Autry, which makes him a logical candidate.

Siena will hear its name called on Sunday as the tournament field is released. They'll open up play either Thursday or Friday, presuming they avoid the 'First Four' round. Once Siena's season is done, things should drastically pick up.

First off, as a Syracuse graduate, he has a passion for the university. He also has an understanding of the area, the expectations, the university and he would get along well with the alumni base.

Furthermore, as someone who coached for 15 years on both Boeheim's and Autry's staffs, he knows what it's like to recruit to Syracuse. 

Thirdly, as an excellent player himself - and as someone who is younger - he can relate to today's modern player, and he can do it in an NIL world, having had success navigating both NIL and the transfer portal.

Some people might be turned off by the fact that he's "only" been a head coach for two years, while others might be turned off by the fact that he's connected to Boeheim.

Some fans want a clean break and want to hire someone "outside the family." Autry was an "in the family" hire that backfired, and some fans want someone totally new with fresh ideas/perspectives.

Also, it has to be tough for the athletic department to fire Autry, who was a former player and a longtime coach. Do they want to take that risk with McNamara, who is beloved in the campus community?

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