Jim Boeheim’s illustrious career is over after 47 years as Syracuse’s men’s basketball coach.
However, he confused some members of the media when it appeared he wasn’t exactly ready to retire, saying Wednesday that it «depended on the university.»
Boeheim initially joked that he «gave my retirement speech on the court last Saturday, and then I gave it at the press conference,» but no one caught on.
However, when the university announced that he was no longer the coach, the word «retire» was not used, nor did the statement include quotes from Boeheim.
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Syracuse men’s basketball coach Jim Boeheim looks up at a referee during the first half of a game against Duke in Syracuse, New York on February 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, the only coach Boeheim remains behind most Division I coaching victories, said it was an «uncomfortable» end.
“It was awkward the other day. Syracuse University, Syracuse Athletics and Syracuse Basketball should all be one in making this announcement,” Coach K said. “The fact that there is any ambiguity is wrong. Not well. I hope that’s the case, I’m not saying it is, but I hope things get sorted out quickly and celebrated as they should be.
«The ending has to be better. Maybe we can get this right in a week or two days. Right where everyone should know what his future is. It should be in Syracuse…so all the fans and everyone knows he’ll always be there.» «. a part of it. I can tell you that it helped us and our fans. It really helped the transition. Show a level of support for the new person.»
Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, left, speaks with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski after a game at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC on January 22, 2022. (King Spears/Getty Images)
Boeheim cleared the air on Friday, saying he was «delighted to be retired.»
For further clarification, Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack said Boeheim told his team he would not return shortly after Wake Forest knocked the Orange out of the ACC Tournament. Wildhack added that the transition to Adrian Autry as the next head coach was long planned.
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Boeheim admitted that he did not think of retiring until a four-game losing streak late in the season, when he realized «this is the time.»
The 78-year-old went from 1,116 to 440 as a head coach. The NCAA vacated 101 of those wins after an athletic scandal, lowering his official record to 1,015-440. He coached only his alma mater for his entire career.
Syracuse Orange head coach Jim Boeheim looks on during the first half of an ACC tournament game against the Duke Blue Devils at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY on March 10, 2022. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Wins vacated or not, Boeheim has the second most wins in NCAA Division I history, and is the only coach to win an NCAA tournament game in six different decades.
With Wednesday’s loss, Syracuse (17-15) likely won’t qualify for March Madness this year.