Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said Wednesday that “it’s up to the university” whether he returns to coach the Orangemen next season. Boeheim told ESPN earlier this season that he would “most likely” return as coach for the 2023-24 season — which would be his 48th leading the program — rather than retire, but he set a different tone in Greensboro.
“The university hired me, and it’s their choice that’s what they want to do,” Boeheim told reporters at a news conference Wednesday, after losing the ACC tournament second round to Wake Forest. “I always have the option to retire, but the decision is whether or not I train. It always has been.”
Boeheim has been the head coach of Syracuse since 1976 and is currently the winningest coach of the year in Division I men’s college basketball.
When asked directly whether or not he wanted to return, Boeheim said, “I wouldn’t say that.”
After further urging, as to how he had decided on his future, he added, “You’re talking to the wrong guy.”
“I think you missed it,” Boehme said. “I gave my retirement speech in court last Saturday, and I gave it at the press conference afterwards.”
During his Hall of Fame career, Boeheim has won over 1,000 games in addition to the 2003 national championship, which remains the only title in program history. Recently, though, Orange has slipped away. Boeheim posted the first losing record of his tenure last season, and Syracuse is not expected to reach the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season. (Prior to that, Syracuse had qualified for every NCAA Tournament it was a qualifier for under Boeheim.)
That slip-up—along with his sons Jimmy and Buddy’s graduation after last season—has only led to more speculation about Boeheim’s possible retirement. Also, keep in mind that Roy Williams, Mike Krzyzewski and Jay Wright have all retired their last two seasons. Boeheim is currently 78 years old and the oldest active men’s college basketball coach.
“I was incredibly lucky to keep this job,” Boehme added. “Mike Bree is happy because he’s been at Notre Dame 23. He’s a pup. I had 47. I got to coach my sons. Two years ago we were in the Sweet 16, and last year I coached my sons. I had a great team. I loved that team.”
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(Photo: Brad Penner/USA Today)