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The Syracuse basketball team finds itself at a crossroads in the 2025-26 season. The team is currently 12-7 and in the midst of conference play.
Questions surround Orange head coach Adrian Autry’s future – Will he be fired? His seat is warm and growing hotter with parents vocalizing their criticism.
Autry is in Year 3 leading the program after taking over for Jim Boeheim. He led his squad to 20 wins in his debut before going 14-19 last season.
This year, he hopes to make his first NCAA Tournament appearance. He’ll need a strong finish to do so.
Syracuse got off to a 4-0 start before running into a buzzsaw that was Houston, Kansas, and Iowa State. After falling to 4-3, they upset 13th-ranked Tennessee to land a signature win.
The Orange ended non-conference play at 9-4. They narrowly lost their ACC opener to Clemson but ripped off three straight victories to build momentum.
That positive energy has since been lost. The team is currently riding a two-game losing skid after being upset in back-to-back contests. The head coach is now in the crosshairs.
Syracuse basketball fans want Adrian Autry fired.
Student section is chanting “Fire Autry”
— Make Syracuse Basketball Great Again (@syracusefan44) January 22, 2026
Students called for the coach’s job during a home loss to Virginia Tech. The Orange entered as slight favorites. They led by as many as 10 in the first half.
Around the 15-minute mark, that lead had been cut to seven. The Hokies then used a 26-10 run to go up and later put the game away.
Boos rained down from the arena seats over the last six minutes of action. Fans began filing out with 1:30 left in regulation. Syracuse lost, 76-74.
That defeat came days after being upset by Boston College, which was previously winless in ACC play. The two-game losing streak puts NCAA Tournament pursuits at serious risk.
With those losses, Syracuse fell to 77th in NET rankings. They boast a 2-5 record against Q1 and Q2 foes. They also have a pair of Q3 setbacks.
At this point in time, the Orange are not projected to make the Big Dance. Many believe it’s time for a change.
That includes player parents, who have made their opinions of the current coaching staff very clear.
A player’s parent just came over to the media table and said “poor coaching” as the game concluded.
Big yikes.
— Cuse Sports Talk (@CuseSportsTalk_) January 22, 2026
Tyler Betsey’s dad is a critic.
Betsey transferred to Syracuse after one season with the Cincinnati basketball program. He’s made an impact as a role player.
Tyler Betsey is averaging 8.0 points and 2.9 boards across 18 games. He’s yet to make a start, though he has seen about 18.1 minutes per contest.
His father believes playing time should increase. He deserves a spot in the starting lineup.
After the latest loss, Robert Betsey spoke out on Facebook.
I’m truly p—d with the way the coach is playing these guys. His sub game is bad. He has the talent. If you ask me, I blame the whole staff. They’re supposed to see the issue. They are not.
Never should have lost these last two games… START BETSEY, START BETSEY… Give him the green light!
Last time out, Betsey scored nine points on 2/3 shooting. He also hauled in five rebounds. That came two games after posting a season-high 18 points against Florida State.
The forward is shooting 59% from three in ACC play. He’s notched double figures against some of the team’s most notable foes (Houston, Kansas, Iowa State, St. Joe’s).
His dad wants to see him on the floor more. Adrian Autry, to this point, has kept him on the bench.
Syracuse needs to go on a run to put itself in the NCAA Tournament conversation. Will the head coach take parents’ advice?