Jim Boeheim (Syracuse)

So after the 2009-2010 season, where are the naysayers? The guy loses 3 top players the from the year before and takes a reconstructed squad of no-names to the elite 8 level. No injury to his big man and I'm convinced he's in the title game against Duke last year, which would have been a very interesting game. After all these years, he's finally getting 2 and 3 top 100 players signing up out of HS. I think Boeheim has another couple of deep runs coming up in the next few years. Possibly even another NCAA title. He gets more out of a team's existing talent than anyone except possibly Izzo, and maybe neck and neck with Coach K. Oe of the greats.

30 years at 20 wins out of 32 years coaching! I think finally in 2010 Boeheim will get his just recognition nationwide, even from skeptics. Another poster (Rogue) noted back in 2006 that the SU team was on the cusp of greatness in the near future, and 2009 and now 2010 seem to prove that. Boeheim seems less affected by one-and-done and two year players than some of the other big programs. He maintains consistency through good player development and coaching. He'll lose a big class and the remaining players on the roster seem to step up the next year and fill their planned roles and grow into the challenge. Coach of the Year is supposed to be an annual honor, not an accumulated honor, but 2010 might be Boeheim's year to win it for his coaching performance this year as well as his sustained greatness. I can see this guy wining another national championship before he retires. Plus, he should prove to be an excellent Olympic coach coming up in a couple of years. He has as much internati... Read more

very good coach

A great coach, devoted to Syracuse when he could have gone elsewhere many times. Thanks, Jim, for doing such a great job year after year.

A consistent and solid coach who has cycles of top tier teams at Syracuse. In 07-08 he will again enter one of those 2-4 year cycles of tp tier teams. Boeheim tends to keep his superstars for longer than most other elite coaches (3-4 years), with the notable exception of Anthony. But his upcoming teams may win another chmpionship for him. Also, a very under-rated Olympic-level/national team coach who really understands the International game.

On the balance, give Boeheim credit for recruiting coups, mastery of the zone D, and overall consistency, year-in and year-out, that has given him rightful honors over the years. Still, his choices and style can be exasperating to watch if you're a die-hard SU fan...the team is almost never more than 7 or 8 deep, which hurts them when they get into foul trouble and when they attempt to make a tourney run. Boeheim doesn't seem troubled by this lack of depth. The offensive game tends to be very predictable and they often have trouble taking care of the basketball. Don't even get me started on the free throws; SU has been a pitiful free-throw shooting team for years. All-in-all, Boeheim's been good for this program but he's also held it back from being even better.

Excellent Coach

Chaulky Studebaker, below, on this thread doesn't get it! Boeheim is a damn genius. I just checked out his 2006-2007 schedule. 31 games before the Big east tourney and 23 of them are at home! Like 10 of the first 11 at home, and the one exception is in Buffalo (Canisius), practically a home game for the 'Cuse. Of the remaning away games there's a NY City game in there as well. Again, almost a home game for this squad. I'm only a recent Boeheim fan. But its this sort of creativity which has allowed some of his mediocre teams to get their confidence up and get on an early roll. Somebody had to schedule these games. I What other head coach pulls this off year after year? The3 guy is amazing, plus he's a heck of coach and a nice guy to boot.

I believe everyone will see just how great Jimmy B is over the next 2 or 3 years. He's in another one of those rebuilding phases. He never seems to get credit for his skills in this area. But the next solid group he molds may take it to the next level, perhaps an Elite 8 or Final 4 berth (2-3 years). Then there should be few doubters as to his greatness.

No one could ask for a better coah with more heart than this man. And any coach that will go on national television to back up his team and his player cussing up a storm (which is incredibly out of character) and stick his neck out for one of the best college players ever has got my five stars. Syracuse loves you Jim and everything you've done for us! Thank you.

How many Division 1 coaches have more wins? How many have longer careers at consistently solid schools? How many have more 20 win seasons?

boeheim is okay but syracuse never even leaves ny state to play a game until a few months into their schedule, which primarily consists of mickey mouse teams; he's certainly no coach k

For years I didn't like this guy. Maybe it was the geek look, or the facial expressions when he whined to the refs. But he won and he also won me over. Must admit, he's one of the best and earns my five stars.

A fine fellow and an exceptional coach to whom many good things have happened recently. All deserved! A testament to his skill, dedication, persistence, and loyalty to his institution and his ball players. The epitome of Hall of Fame qualifications.

Jim Boeheim is finally in the Hall of Fame- where he belongs. He can have no rating less than 5 stars. He's earned every one of them. How fitting that he was joined in enshrinement by his close friend and great rival Jim Calhoun. Two great coaches that also happen to be fine gentlemen. It doesn't get any better for college basketball. Congratulations to Jimmy Boeheim!

Jim B. has one championship. That alone puts him into comsideration as an elite coach. You'll never see another coach like Wooden with a half dozen or more championships. Knight, Coach K with 2 or 3? Okay, they're great too. But back to Jim B: the guy is consistently outstanding! That also makes for greatness.

Some people will tell you that this coach has choked in the big tournament. They'll point to the loss to Richmond several tears ago, or this year's loss to Vermont. Hey, Vermont's top shooting guard was unconscious with his long range 3 balls. It was a solid Vermont club abd they played over their head and got a big victory. That's what makes college sports so great. Even in his championship year, Boeheim's toughest game was the first one- they eeked out a win against a gutsy Manhattan team, got on a roll, and went on to win it all. Even Boeheim praised that Manhattan team. He's a class act and a consistent winner. This guy has fielded 20(+) win clubs even when the talent wasn't there. You never read about that. The truth is, he's a resourceful coach with more tools in his toolkit that just the 2-3 zone. These obvious talents have made him an elite coach and a consistent winner.

Jimmie Boeheim is the total package- an accomplished, top-tier coach, a good man of integity, and an asset to his instituton and community. Sports fans have probably heard a lot about each of these areas. But one thing that is not as well known is that he is an incredible mentor and friend to his former players. I've had the pleasure of talking to Jimmy B. at numerous events over the years. Ask him about any player- obscure bench warmer from 20 years ago, or superstar NBA player from one of his great teams. He can tell you everything about his boys and the fact is, he's helped a lot of them over the years in various ways. He's still their coach. I was at an event a few years ago when someone mentioned Conrad McRae, one of his players who died of a heart malady. Boeheim was nearly moved to tears, but he took the time to reminisce about that former player's infectious smile, enthusiasm, leadership, and other personal qualties. Say what you want about Boeheim, but the guy is an ed... Read more

All I can say is the ZONE Defense Rocks... Long Live Jim!!!!!! P.S. - the choking in the NCAA tournament problem ended for him about 10 years ago... Nice way to keep up on current events.

I don't care if he finally won one, he's still the poster boy for choking in the tourney.

A very good coach who won a National Championship. He wins and he's stuck around at SU, which makes him underrated. He has been able to recruit top talent and plays an exciting brand of BBall. SU has developed a number of professional players and are always good in the Big East. Boeheim gets major props as a ladies man as well. He looks like a dork, but he's got a trophy wife and is said to be a ladies man.

good coach, but he has to live in syracuse

What does a Carolina fan call Syracuse?...................Who?

The only coach that can consistently snatch a loss from the jaws of victory. Worse bench coach in all major college basketball.

i believe jim boeheim is a great coach, but i do agree that sometimes he doesnt pick the right players, hes not just a great devoted coach hes a really nice guy also....props to jim!

soon to be the winningest active coach in the game

Ask him how he got Carmelo Anthony sometime.

Let's see: National Champion coach 2003, coached two prior championship games in 1987 and 1996, career .745 winning percentage, third among active coaches, perenial 20 game winner in the Big East, Big East champion three times, most senior coach in the NCAA's, (all at the same school) and getting ready to defend the National Title in 2004 with one of his finest recruiting efforts ever!!! Congrats Jim!!!

On the way out... Remember Denny Crum? Just about time for Jim

One of the best coaches in the land.Unranked going into the seasom, this years team (21-4)could end up as a 2-4 seed in the NCAAs. Coach Boeheim has kept the orangemen at or near the top of the Big East year after year. He has brought 2 teams to the final NCAA game.Never any rebuilding years. Great recruiter who lets his players show off their talents.Finds sleepers and turns them into stars. Does very well in International competition.The most underrated coach in the land.

he puts up 20 wins almost every year, no matter who is playing for him. he's the man.

A very underrated coach. His team competes year in and year out in one of the toughest conferences. The big rap against him is that he people see him as having more talent than anyone else, yet unable to do anything big with it. But, if you look at the NBA, how many superstar Syracuse grads have their been? Derrick Coleman? John Wallace? Look at Lawrence Moten.... One of Syracuse's all time leading scorers and as far as I know, he has never stuck with an NBA team. The facts speak for themselves - Boeheim takes good but not great talent and turns out a decent team year in and year out.

Being a fan for many years i have endured much frustration, but jim boeheim is a good coach and a great recruiter...if you cut him, he still bleeds orange.

I believe that Jim Boeheim could do a little better job with his basketball team. Sometimes he doesn't pick the right player for important plays.