Hiring a university legend to come in and lead the program always seems like a good idea. And sometimes, hiring someone with that institutional passion and knowledge pays dividends. Jim Harbaugh did win a national title at his alma mater (Michigan), proving how special it can be when the stars align.

However, when it turns sour, it puts everyone in a tough spot. Fans don't enjoy turning on a program icon and the university often doesn't want to dismiss one. The coach, I'm sure, doesn't enjoy letting down a university they love.

That's where we're at right now with Syracuse men's basketball coach Adrian Autry, who is set to finish up a third consecutive average to below-average season on Saturday afternoon (4:30 p.m. ET) when the Orange face Pitt at the JMA Wireless Dome.

After Saturday's game, the Orange will head to the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament, and barring an absolute miracle title run, they'll miss the NCAA Tournament for a fifth consecutive year. The administrative powers that be will have to decide what to do with Autry next season as the calls for his dismissal from fans and the online community grow louder.

But let me offer this: As Autry coaches his final home game of the season on Saturday, he deserves your respect.

There's no need to continue to kick a man when he's down. The pleas have been made, the season has been played, what will be will be. Don't focus on what Autry has or hasn't been in the last year, or even the last three. Focus on what he's been for more than 35: Someone who's given a lot of the university at large. He deserves that now.

A four-player (1990-93) who started 116 games, Autry averaged 12.7 ppg for the Orange, including 16.7 his final season. A two-time All-Big East selection, he also was a member of the 1993-94 All-Region team of the All-Freshman team. He went to the NCAA Tournament three times, just missing out on the Final Four run in 1995-96.

If you enjoyed watching Syracuse basketball in the 1990s and early 2000s, Autry is one of the guys who helped carry the program to those places.

As a coach, he's been with the program for more than 15 years. 

Regardless of how it's gone for him as head coach, and regardless of what may happen in the coming weeks, he deserves appreciation for what he's done at Syracuse.

The fans have already said their piece about why they want him out of the job. Saturday should be a celebration and a proper send-off if it happens.

The Syracuse women's basketball team avoided an upset on Thursday, beating California in the second round of the ACC Tournament. They'll play No. 2 Louisville on Friday at 5 p.m. ET.

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