It turns out Jim Boeheim isn’t going anywhere after all.
Syracuse announced Sunday that the 72-year-old Boeheim and Syracuse have agreed on a new contract that will lengthen his head-coaching tenure beyond the 2017-18 season. The school did not announce how long the extension will go for.
The school also announced the promotion of Adrian Autry to associate head coach.
The extension of the Boeheim’s contract came about as head-coach-in-waiting Mike Hopkins was hired to lead the program at Washington.
Syracuse said it “moved promptly to maintain stability in its program by negotiating the new deal with Boeheim, who had planned to step down following the conclusion of the next season.”
“Mike accepting the position at Washington has put us in a unique position,” said John Wildhack, Syracuse Director of Athletics. “The circumstances are different now than they were when he was named head-coach-in-waiting.
“After discussing it with Chancellor Syverud, we believe the best decision for the student-athletes currently in the program and those who are committed to attending the University is to extend Coach Boeheim’s contract. Jim has enthusiastically agreed.
“Mike received a great opportunity and we thank him and wish him the best,” said Boeheim. “I’m happy to stay on to help the program and to continue the staff’s devotion to success.”
“The Syracuse basketball program was built on the concept of family and that remains intact with Coach Boeheim agreeing to this contract extension,” said Wildhack. “Having experienced assistant coaches like Adrian Autry and Gerry McNamara on the staff helps us maintain the elite standing the program has earned.”
Autry and McNamara, both standout performers at Syracuse, have been assistant coaches under Boeheim since the 2011-12 campaign.
“I have no doubt this remarkable run of college basketball success at Syracuse under Coach Boeheim is positioned to continue,” said Wildhack.
Boeheim just completed his 41st season as head coach at Syracuse. He ranks second among Division I coaches in victories, trailing only Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski. Boeheim owns the longest active streak of seasons with his current institution, well ahead of Krzyzewski’s 36 at Duke.
He has guided the Orange into the postseason 39 times during his tenure, including 32 NCAA Tournaments and seven NIT berths. Boeheim has coached Syracuse into the NCAA championship game three times and the Final Four five times. Syracuse won the national championship in 2003.
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter
