Jim Boeheim not returning as Syracuse basketball coach

GREENSBORO – Jim Boeheim is longer Syracuse basketball's coach, the school announced Wednesday evening.

After Syracuse’s 77-74 loss to Wake Forest on Wednesday at Greensboro Coliseum, Boeheim was asked if his 47th season would be his final as head coach of the program.

“It’s up to the university,” Boeheim said. “They have to make their decision. I hope we can come to a good agreement. I mean, that remains to be seen.”

Roughly two hours later, Syracuse announced that Boeheim had coached his last game. Adrian Autry, a longtime assistant coach and one of Boeheim's former players, has been named the next head coach.

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"There is no doubt in my mind that without Jim Boeheim, Syracuse Basketball would not be the powerhouse program it is today," Chancellor Kent Syverud said in a school-issued statement.

"Jim has invested and dedicated the majority of his life to building this program, cultivating generations of student-athletes and representing his alma mater with pride and distinction. I extend my deep appreciation and gratitude to an alumnus who epitomizes what it means to be 'Forever Orange.'"

When pushed to answer whether he was retiring or planning to come back, Boeheim was noncommittal before Syracuse made the official announcement at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

"As I've said from day one when I started working here, the university hired me, and it's their choice what they want to do," Boeheim said. "I always have the choice of retirement, but it's their decision as to whether I coach or not. It always has been."

Boeheim, 78, has been Syracuse’s head coach since 1976. The Naismith Hall of Famer has led the Orange to 35 NCAA Tournament appearances and five Final Fours, including a national championship in 2003.

"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.

"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."

With a 17-15 record, Syracuse is in line to miss the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2007-08.

Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Syracuse basketball coach Jim Boeheim no longer coach of Orange