Syracuse Orange head coach Gerry McNamara is making an exciting addition to his team, with VCU assistant coach Ryan Daly joining the coaching staff ahead of next season. As one of the most talented young coaches in college basketball, Daly will be eager to help Syracuse improve on its 15-17 season.
McNamara was appointed Syracuse head coach last month after a remarkable two-year coaching stint at Siena.
Gerry McNamara Adds Ryan Daly to Syracuse Coaching Staff
On Thursday, the Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman revealed that Daly would be joining the Syracuse Orange coaching staff next season. Calling the 28-year-old a “rising star,” Goodman hailed him as a “tremendous hire” for the Orange.
Syracuse coach Gerry McNamara is hiring VCU assistant Ryan Daly, source told @TheFieldOf68.
Tremendous hire for the Orange. Daly is a rising star.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 2, 2026
“Syracuse coach Gerry McNamara is hiring VCU assistant Ryan Daly, source told the Field of 68. Tremendous hire for the Orange. Daly is a rising star,” he wrote on X.
Daly spent his college career playing for Delaware and Saint Joseph’s and was named the CAA Rookie of the Year in 2016-17. After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, he represented the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Summer League. He then spent some time playing in the NBA G League before entering coaching at the University of Albany as an assistant coach.
After two seasons at Albany and one season at Bryant, Daly joined the VCU Rams alongside head coach Phil Martelli Jr. in April 2025. He helped Bryant and VCU earn back-to-back NCAA Tournament bids.
The Rams are coming off a strong season, finishing tied for first in the Atlantic 10 Conference. VCU also upset the UNC Tar Heels in the first round of the men’s NCAA Tournament before losing to Illinois in the second round to end the season with a 28-8 record.
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Daly will now look to make a similar impact at Syracuse after what was a disappointing year for the Orange. He will be working alongside McNamara, who was part of Syracuse’s 2003 NCAA Tournament-winning team and is now back as head coach, replacing Adrian Autry.
McNamara was hired by the Orange after leading the Siena Saints to the NCAA Tournament, where they nearly upset the Duke Blue Devils in the first round. In two seasons as Siena Saints head coach, McNamara led the team to a 37-30 record and also helped them win the MAAC men’s basketball tournament this year.
