A homecoming that once grabbed the headlines like fire has been extinguished for Adrian Autry. The pressure was already mounting on the Syracuse head coach this season, and the defeat to SMU on Tuesday turned into a final reckoning. He was fired less than 24-hours after the loss. Kiyan Anthony’s program will have no head coach as Selection Sunday approaches, prompting the fans to share their perspective on possible options for the chair.

ESPN’s senior collegiate sports writer, Pete Thamel, shared a brief on X about Autry’s termination and the program’s upcoming roadmap for its front office to rope in a new head coach. “Sources: Syracuse has fired Adrian Autry. Autry missed the NCAA Tournament in all three of his seasons as the head coach. The plan has been for current AD John Wildhack to fire Autry and then the incoming AD to make the next hire,” the post read.

Under Autry, Syracuse has had a dismal season in its third year at the helm. The team initially had a disappointing regular stretch, finishing 15-17 and 6-12. The opportunity to inject some substance into their season in the ACC conference also went off the table after their 86-69 loss to the SMU Mustangs in the second round of the tournament on Thursday.

All in all, these performances and records aren’t bright enough to place them in an uncomfortable spot for Selection Sunday and the March Madness. A fifth consecutive snub from the National Championships is possibly in line for the 2003 champions. And quite naturally, the responsibility has fallen on Autry’s shoulders. Autry couldn’t lead the team to a single March Madness appearance in his three years.

It’s a very disappointing stat for a program that once consistently ranked among the favorites in March Madness. And as a result, the fans haven’t wasted to express their choices for the program’s next head coach.

A Lot of Complexities Around the Options Suggested by Fans for Kiyan Anthony’s Syracuse’s Next Head Coach

“They’ll be hiring Gerry McNamara,” wrote a fan.

“If they dont hire Mcnamarra they should just shut down the program,” stated another.

Many comments, including these, rallied behind the current Sienna Saints head coach, Gerry McNemara, as the next Syracuse head coach. And there are two perspectives to consider: Nostalgia and Record With the Saints. On a surface level, McNemara replacing Adrian Autry would be like replacing a card with another card from the same deck. A part of the 2003 NCAA Championships-winning Syracuse team, a two-time All-Big East First team, and a former assistant and associate head coach, McNamara is already a legend for the program.

Additionally, his record with Sienna speaks for itself. A 23-11 record and an MAAC Championship in his second season at the helm of the program guaranteed the Saints a ticket to March Madness for the first time after 16 years. This historic feat under McNemara has further strengthened the fans’ call for McNemara.

But there are certain complications, too, for this reunion. McNemara is just in his second year of a multi-year deal with the program. And leaving the helm just after the team reached a historic feat will be a hard decision for him.

“Blank check Rick Pitino,” added another.

The perspective is bold, but it makes sense. A potential move to Syracuse would be kind of a homecoming for Pitino. After all, he served as an assistant in the program for two years before being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Additionally, Pitino at the helm would also help young players like Kiyan Anthony develop under formidable mentorship. But yet again, the contractual obligation is where the standoff is.

Pitino, currently in charge of St. John’s, has three more years remaining under his contract with the program. Additionally, Pitino is being paid around $20 million over his tenure, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in the country. On top of that, the Red Storm has performed immensely well under Pitino, becoming regular-season champions twice in a row. With all these factors in play, Pitino to Syracuse is a long shot for now.

“Perfect landing spot for Bob Hurley,” remarked another. 

“Hire the South Florida guy. Go outside the university,” chimed in another. 

Two possible options as per these comments: Bob Hurley and Bryan Hodgson. Hodgson just tipped off his stint at the South Florida Bulls. He has done a decent job with the team so far, guiding them to a top spot in the American Conference. Thus, the partnership is going quite well between the two parties. But on the contrary, Syracuse might have an opening in Bob Hurley’s scenario.

Under Hurley, Arizona State has slipped to 11th in the Big 12 conference. Though they are competing well in the Big 12 tournament and have advanced to the second round, reports have surfaced that the Sun Devils’ front office is quietly exploring options to replace Hurley. “Arizona State is expected to part ways with Bobby Hurley after the season,” insider Jeff Goodman has said.

All in all, the conclusion is that Hurley stands as a major option for Anthony’s Syracuse Orange. But, for now, we will have to play the waiting game for the team’s move in this regard. Who should be the next head coach of Syracuse, in your opinion? Do let us know in the comments.