Rapid Reaction: Syracuse botches potential Boeheim retirement announcement

Syracuse's 77-74 loss to Wake Forest in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament may have been Jim Boeheim's final game as head coach of the Orange.

"I gave my retirement speech on the court last Saturday and I gave it in the press conference afterwards and nobody figured it out," Boeheim said in his postgame press conference.

But after Boeheim appeared to confirm his retirement, he then backpedaled, saying it was up to the University.

Here's a snippet from the exchange:

Q. Are you saying right now that you're going to retire?

JIM BOEHEIM: This is up to the university.

Q. You want to come back?

JIM BOEHEIM: I didn't say that.

Q. So what are you saying? You're not saying you're retiring --

JIM BOEHEIM: I just said it. I don't know.

Q. So you don't know?

JIM BOEHEIM: I said this is up to the university.

Q. You're not sure whether -- how will you make a determination about when you will come back?

JIM BOEHEIM: You're talking to the wrong guy.

Q. I'm just a little confused. Do you want to come back, or did you just announce your retirement without actually announcing your retirement?

JIM BOEHEIM: No, I said it's up to the university. They have to make their decision, and it's up to them. I hope we can come to a good agreement. I mean, that remains to be seen.

Jim Boeheim's press conference following Syracuse’s heartbreaking 77-74 loss to Wake Forest in the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament was, unfortunately, typical for Syracuse University: It was awkward and clumsy.

The decision regarding the program’s future direction should've been easy, but what was lacking was evidence of leadership from Athletic Director John Wildhack and Chancellor Kent Syverud.

It should have already been made clear by the university that whenever the Orange lost for the last time this season, that defeat would mark the end of the amazing Jim Boeheim era, and all the details behind that transaction would have already been clearly defined.

Based on what happened today, if Boeheim and the University do come to an agreement that he will step away from Syracuse, those details will have to be finalized by attorneys.

Instead of a clean exit, Syracuse would have to scramble to then hold a press conference scheduled as soon as Friday or Monday at either the Melo Center, JMA Wireless Dome or other University building.

If that is the ultimate decision, this is how I see it playing out. The hypothetical press conference would be when Boeheim would officially confirm his retirement and be named to an emeritus position with the school, his successor named, and he’ll go off to a nice life in retirement with wife Juli and his four children.

The new coach will likely be current lead assistant Red Autry, and just like that the Boeheim era will be over.

There will never be a career like it again in college basketball. 47 years at his alma mater as a Hall of Fame head coach, 1,116 wins, second best in Division 1 history, and one day honored with a statue on campus.

----

Chat about this story and all things Syracuse and Syracuse recruiting on our premium message board, Cuse Classified!

Follow us on Twitter @TheJuiceOnline, like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram @SUJuiceOnline and listen to our podcast.

Tips/questions/concerns? E-mail Recruiting Analyst Charles Kang here.

Not a subscriber to The Juice Online? Join today for access to all our premium content and message board community.