![]() ![]() ![]() Say what you want about Boeheim and the program over the last decade - yes, there has been a sizable slip, and it was time to move on - but he deserved better than this. on the dot, hours after the loss, with prepared quotes from Autry, Wildhack and Chancellor Kent Syverud. It certainly was a messy ending - SU knew this was it, thus why its statement came out at 5 p.m. It ended with his mediocre team losing to a similarly-mediocre squad in a noon midweek game in front of a half-empty arena. There was little reason to celebrate, either. So it ended in the bowels of Greensboro, North Carolina, in a town Boeheim once trashed, against one of the coaches he accused of buying its team. Autry will be introduced as head coach on Friday, with no word whether Boeheim will be there. Requests for comment from Wildhack, Autry and Boeheim were all denied or received no responses. It begs the question if - even after Boeheim’s seven decades at Syracuse as a player, assistant and head coach - SU moved on from him, even when he wanted to continue coaching. The university’s press release didn’t quote Boeheim or use any language that made it clear he was retiring. It’s unknown if Boeheim was under contract this season, or was seeking a new one, or whether he knew Syracuse would announce on Wednesday. In comes Adrian Autry, his top assistant and former player. Even with it, all we know is this: after 47 years, Boeheim is no longer head coach. Then, three hours later, came the announcement. It was classic Boeheim: entertaining, yet ambiguous. He said he had given his retirement speech last Saturday, but still wanted to agree with the school. It was a rare sign of emotion for someone who usually treated press conferences as sparring matches. ![]() There was lots of reflection - on how lucky he’s been to live in Syracuse, coach his sons, coach in front of massive Dome crowds, and make deep March runs - and even signs of emotion that came close to tears. There were signs, though, that an era was coming to a screeching halt. That decision, he said, was up to the university. Boeheim couldn’t confirm whether he’d return next season or even wanted to. The ensuing press conference led to more questions than answers. He had just suffered his 441st career loss, 77-74 to Wake Forest in the ACC Tournament, and yet, little did anyone - outside of perhaps Director of Athletics John Wildhack, sitting behind the SU bench with a straight face - in the arena know this was the final one. There he was, blank-faced, swiftly moving through the postgame handshake line and into the Greensboro Coliseum tunnel. Boeheim himself may not have even known it. on Wednesday was the final play of Boeheim’s 47-year career, they hid it well. If anyone knew Benny Williams’ failed full-court heave at 2:08 p.m. It was bizarre and shocking, but perhaps that’s what was most fitting - and ironic - about it. This wasn’t the proper ending for Jim Boeheim. Donate today and help us win College Media Madness. ![]() chronicling the men’s basketball team’s 2002-03 season. Support your favorite college newsroom with a gift! We’re offering the first 200 donors who make a gift of $44 or more a copy of the book published by The D.O. ![]()
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