Nearly 60 years ago in 1966, Jim Boeheim ’66, G’73 stepped foot on the Syracuse University campus as a freshman. He immediately became a member of the men’s basketball team’s walk-on roster.
It would be another 60 years before he would become one of the most successful coaches in college basketball history and lead his team to a national championship, be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame and become one of the most well-known alumni of Syracuse University.
Today, March 9, 2023, marks the end of his legendary coaching career at Syracuse University, which spanned 47 seasons. ESPN shared a Tweet for the confirmation of Jim’s retirement and said, “Jim Boeheim retires after 47 seasons as the team’s head coach”.
After starting as a walk-on at Syracuse in 1962, Jim Boeheim retires after 47 seasons as the team’s head coach.
Boeheim’s 1,015 wins are the 2nd-most by a head coach in Division I history (min. 10 seasons). pic.twitter.com/UawmBAplJg
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 8, 2023
Do you know that other athletes from various sports have also retired and you can read more about their departures in the posts we’ve provided below:
- Has Ben Roethlisberger Officially Retired After So Many Achievements?
- When Did Richard Sherman Retire?
- Why Did Ash Barty Retire From Tennis At 25?
Who Became the next Head Coach after Boeheim?
Former player and longtime assistant coach Adrian Autry ’94 succeeds Boeheim as head coach. According to Chancellor Kent Syverud:
Syracuse basketball is a nationally competitive programme thanks in large part to Jim Boeheim. Jim has spent the better part of his life developing the programme inspiring future generations of student-athletes, and making an outstanding name for his alma mater. To an alumnus who personifies the term “Forever Orange,” I offer my sincerest gratitude and appreciation.
During his 47 years at the helm of the Syracuse Orange, he led the team to a national championship in 2003 and to 35 appearances in the NCAA Tournament including runs to the Final Four in 1987, 1996, 2003, 2013 and 2016.
The National Association of Basketball Coaches has named Boeheim their District II Coach of the Year 10 times and the United States Basketball Writers Association has named him their District II Coach of the Year 4 times. Boeheim has won the BIG EAST Coach of the Year award four times.
John Wildhack who is in charge of sports, says:
Throughout my professional and collegiate athletics career, I have been fortunate to rub shoulders with some of the sport’s most illustrious figures. There aren’t many people who can compete with Coach Boeheim.
Aurty, assistant coach of Orangemen’s team said:
In my life, Syracuse University and Jim Boeheim have been two of the most significant influences. There is no way I would have this fantastic opportunity if it weren’t for both of them declares Autry.
I owe a great debt of gratitude to Jim who has spent a great deal of time teaching me the fundamentals of basketball and preparing me to continue the winning streak that has become synonymous with Orange Basketball.
In 2008, Autry made the transition to the collegiate level when he was hired by then-head coach Seth Greenburg as Virginia Tech’s director of basketball operations. He eventually became an assistant coach. He began as an assistant coach for the Orangemen’s team in 2011–12 and was promoted to associate head coach in March 2017.
Jim Wildhack, Syracuse’s head coach said:
It’s hard to picture our programme continuing to thrive without him at the helm, but I have faith that our coaches, players and fans can continue to build on decades of success. I’ve never been to a school with such a deep coaching bench.
We’re lucky to have someone with Coach Autry’s skill, longevity and moral fiber at the helm of the Syracuse Orange basketball team. It’s not just that he’s a great Xs and Os coach.
He’s also a great recruiter, a generous mentor, a steadfast leader in the community and a fervent supporter of the Orange. I cannot wait to see what he accomplishes as head coach of this team.
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