Jim Boeheim retires from Syracuse men's basketball after 47 years

After 47 years at the helm, Syracuse men’s basketball coach Jim Boeheim is headed into retirement.

The university confirmed Boeheim’s decision on Wednesday shortly after the Orange lost to Wake Forest at the last second in the ACC Tournament.

After playing college hoops for the school, Boeheim, 78, started as an assistant at Syracuse in 1969 before assuming duties as the team’s head coach in 1976. It’s the only program he’s ever been a part of as a coach or player.

Boeheim went 1,116-440 all-time in his career leading the Orange and coached his team to a NCAA tournament victory in 2003.

The longtime Syracuse coach made five Final Four appearances in his time with the school (1987, 1996, 2003, 2013, 2016). He was named the Naismith College Coach of the Year and AP Coach of the Year in 2010.

A legendary coaching tenure that turned this program into a perennial national power comes to a close after 47 years.

https://t.co/sI3xKt44N7 pic.twitter.com/NHn9Z47Uw8

— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) March 8, 2023

Syracuse assistant head coach Adrian Autry will assume head coaching duties in wake of Boeheim’s retirement. Autry played for Boeheim from 1990-94.

“There have been very few stronger influential forces in my life than Syracuse University and Jim Boeheim. They have both played such important roles and without either of them, I am certain I would not have this incredible opportunity before me,” Autry said in a press release from the school. “I have spent much of my time in the game of basketball learning from Jim and am so grateful to him for preparing me to carry on the winning tradition that is Orange Basketball. It’s hard to imagine a world without him on the bench, but together with our coaches, student-athletes and fans, we will build on decades of success as a winning program.”

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that the decision for Boeheim to retire and Autry to take the helm was not decided until after Wednesday’s game.

Sources: The timing of the retirement of Jim Boeheim and Adrian Autry taking over wasn’t set until today. Autry had long been the administrative choice to be the Boeheim’s successor, but the timing was not finalized until after the Orange lost today.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) March 8, 2023

Boeheim’s last season with Syracuse saw the Orange go 17-15 and earn an eighth-overall seed in the 2023 ACC tournament.