Syracuse’s season came to a close on Wednesday with a 77–74 defeat to Wake Forest in the second round of the ACC tournament. In the immediate aftermath, the focus quickly shifted to the future of coach Jim Boeheim, with the 78-year-old taking a reticent approach to discussing his future plans.
Boeheim said—perhaps in a joking tone—that he gave his retirement speech last week, but people did not seem to pick up on it. When asked to clarify whether he planned on retiring, Boeheim replied, “This is up to the university.”
Boeheim has just completed his 47th season leading the program, and ranks second in men’s college basketball history in coaching wins. Syracuse finished the season with a 17–15 mark, and last made the NCAA tournament in 2021, when the Orange advanced to the Sweet 16 as a No. 11 seed.
The Orange ended their season with losses in five of their last six games. Syracuse went 16–17 the season prior, and hasn’t finished higher than sixth place in the ACC since the 2013-14 campaign.