Jim Boeheim opens up on his decision to step down as head coach of Syracuse

While speaking at the introductory press conference for new Syracuse head basketball coach Adrian Autry, Jim Boeheim said he was ‘thrilled to be retired,’ while also shedding light on his awkward exit this week.

Boeheim said he informed the team of his decision to retire from coaching hours after the loss to Syracuse in the ACC tournament, which lead to the school abruptly announcing he would not return as coach.

The schools announcement did not specially note that Boeheim’s departure was due to ‘retirement,’ something that many were quick to draw attention to.

‘I’m so thrilled to be at this university and continue [in a different role],’ Boeheim said. ‘I wouldn’t know what else to do anyway.’

Boeheim added that he’s ‘thrilled to be retired’ and said he has felt better the past two days than he has ‘in the last 47 years.’ 

Jim Boeheim told reporters that he is ‘thrilled to be retired’ and feels better than he has in years

Boeheim won a NCAA title for Syracuse in 2003 after defeating the Kansas JayHawks

Along with indicating that he will remain at the University in a different role, Boeheim also noted that he did not begin thinking about his retirement until a four-game losing streak late in the season that led him to believe ‘this was the time’.

‘I’m probably most happy that I’ll never leave here,’ Boeheim said, emotion cracking his voice. ‘I’ll never leave Syracuse, and I’ll never leave Syracuse University.’

Boeheim initially came to Syracuse as a walk-on in 1962 and is incredibly proud of the fact he has never left the school. 

The 78-year-old now ex-coach also gave a ringing endorsement of Autry, saying that the plan was to hand him the program upon Boeheim’s departure since 2011.

Autry seemed comfortable in the spotlight during his first major press conference and even joked with some of his players that were in attendance about not having missed class to show up for the press conference.

He also laughed when asked if he would be transitioning away from the 2-3 zone that had become Syracuse’s hallmark under Boeheim before saying: ‘I am a new voice, a new face with new ideas. But the standards that have helped build this program will not change.’

Autry also stated that he want his team to be versatile and play whatever gives it the best chance to win.

Adrian Autry was introduced as Boeheim’s replacement after serving as an assistant for years