Former Syracuse guard Gerry McNamara has been named Siena head coach.
I acknowledge that Illinois still playing very likely has something to do with this, but if someone like McNamara can get a head job, there is zero reason for qualified assistants on the Illinois staff to not be getting serious consideration for head coaching roles. What exactly has Syracuse done to make McNamara head coach material that Illinois hasn’t done?
I think McNamara has a reputation as the "power behind the throne" at Syracuse. Certainly since Boeheim retired, but even before.
Is that the truth? Heck, I dunno. But that's not a reputation that any of our assistants have, we are Brad's show and the assistants are the Bradettes there to do his bidding and get him players. Nobody looks at our assistants as an opportunity to import our program's identity.
Nonetheless I think Chester Frazier is definitely building a head coaching resume with his success at multiple stops under multiple respected coaches and recruiting prowess. He's still only 37 though, albeit a very experienced 37.
And of course even people empowered to make hiring decisions aren't above being kinda dumb: McNamara is a famous and beloved player in that part of the world. He's a name that wins you the press conference. If Chester Frazier the coach were Dee Brown the player, he'd probably have a head job by now. Very possibly one he wasn't ready for and his career will be better off for the wait and experience.