South Florida’s Bryan Hodgson has built a reputation as a top-tier recruiter, and his recent head coaching successes have proven his ability to succeed on the court. Because of this track record, he continues to be a sought-after name in the coaching carousel.
Bryan Hodgson Enters Syracuse’s Coaching Conversation After Adrian Autry Firing
Syracuse dismissed head coach Adrian Autry on Wednesday after three seasons with the program. The move came one day after Syracuse was knocked out of the ACC tournament, falling 86-69 to SMU in the opening round.
Athletic director John Wildhack announced that the program will launch a nationwide search for its next head coach. Basketball analyst Jeff Goodman suggested that Bryan Hodgson could be among the candidates being considered.
“The number obviously is as important as anything,” Goodman said. “The number being how much money you’re going to have for next year. A lot of coaches are scared off because the number isn’t high enough to meet the expectations that come with this Syracuse job. So the resources have to improve.
I’m not sure they’re going to improve enough to get a Josh Schertz or Bryan Hodgson. Why wouldn’t Bryan Hodgson, who hails from upstate New York, go to Syracuse? How would you possibly turn down Syracuse?”
He added, “Well, you look at another job like Providence right now. They’re going to have more money. They’re going to have more NIL, more resources to get players. And frankly, that’s what matters most to a lot of these coaches right now. So I think Hodgson (is) certainly in play here. Don’t know, No. 1, if he’s the guy. No. 2, if he would even take it. Not knowing, again, the AD situation, not knowing if the resources are good enough.”
Details of Autry’s contract were not publicly disclosed, but recent tax filings from Syracuse indicated that he earned just under $1.8 million in total compensation in 2023. His long-term agreement reportedly paid about $3 million annually and was scheduled to run through 2030 before his firing. That figure would still place him outside the top 15 highest-paid college basketball coaches, where salaries typically start around $4.6 million.
Autry had also pointed to the rapidly changing NIL environment as a challenge for the program. Syracuse remained in the third tier of ACC funding, and a source told The Daily Orange that the Orange spent just under $8 million on its roster this season.
It shows the financial gap compared to some conference rivals, and addressing those resource levels will likely be a key focus as the program searches for its next leader.
Meanwhile, Hodgson is under contract with USF through 2031, earning about $1.25 million in his first season. If Syracuse hopes to lure him away, the program will likely need to increase its financial offer significantly.
Hodgson has enjoyed strong success at USF, leading the Bulls to a 23-8 record and a 15-3 mark in league play, earning the AAC regular-season title. Before taking over at USF, he led Arkansas State to back-to-back 20-win seasons.
