Jim Boeheim is in his 41st season as the head basketball coach at Syracuse. Following the sanctions levied against the Orange program two years ago, the SU administration announced a plan was in place for Boeheim to retire after the 2017-2018 season. Despite the statement from Syracuse, many fans didn’t buy that Boeheim would actually leave in 2018.
Back in February, SU athletic director John Wildhack confirmed to Brent Axe that Boeheim’s retirement plan is still in place. Many fans were still skeptical.
Then yesterday happened.
Following SU’s second round ACC Tournament defeat to Miami on Wednesday, Boeheim spoke like a man close to retirement when he was asked about his thoughts on the ACC Tournament being played in the Big Apple.
“I think New York City’s a great venue for our tournament,” Boeheim said. “I’m not gonna be around that much longer to care about it. But I think that’s where the value is. I think there’s a huge value in playing in those places. There’s no value to playing in Greensboro, none. It’s there because the league’s been there and the [ACC] office is there, they have 150 people at the ACC meetings. That’s why it’s there, it should not be there.”
Many people focused on Boeheim’s Greensboro take when hearing these comments, but him stating he won’t be around much longer is more significant.
Boeheim has directly talked about his retirement date only once and it came before last season’s Final Four game against North Carolina. Boeheim was asked if he had plans to coach past 2018 and he said, “no plans.”
SU’s coach has had plenty of opportunities to come out and confirm when his final days will be, but has largely dodged those questions. In an interview with Seth Davis last year, Boeheim talked about how anything could happen between then and his set retirement date.
Boeheim saying he won’t be around much longer is wishy-washy (like everything else he’s said on the subject), but the fact that he brought it up on his own, makes it seem like he’s sticking to the script.
If that line doesn’t persuade you, Boeheim went on to say: “I’m saying all these things and I don’t give a shit.”
Once again, not caring like that sounds like a man who’s close to the end. We’ll see what happens…
Posted: Connor Morrissette
