A day after the Syracuse men's basketball team announced Jim Boeheim's coaching career was coming to a close, fans and former players are abuzz.

Former SU guard and forward Lawrence Moten says he first heard the news in a group chat of other former Orange players. 

"My phone is ringing off the hook, Derrick Coleman, Billy Owens, John Wallace, we're all in a group chat, and one of the text messages was 'Boeheim's retiring.' I was shocked to hear that right after the game. I hope the best for coach. Coach has done a lot not only for the university but the city of Syracuse and I wish him nothing but the best," said Moten. 

Moten recalled the best of his days with Boeheim during his 1991-1995 tenure at the university.

"My four years at Syracuse were phenomenal, not only being coached by him but in the city. One that sticks comes to mind: Just the family comradery in game situations we would have. He would call a play, we'd all listen in, 'One, two, three, 'Cuse!' He would say, 'Lawrence come here. Just get a bucket son, I don't care how you do it,'" said Moten.

Moten would go on to be one of SU's top scorers under Boeheim, with 2,334 points. He would go on to be a second round pick in the 1995 NBA draft, playing for the Vancouver Grizzlies and Washington Wizards before retiring from pro basketball in 1998.

Lawrence's teammate, Adrian Autry, will be introduced as head coach of the men's basketball team Friday morning at 10 a.m. at the Carmelo Anthony Basketball Center.

"My teammate, great guy, great person, good motivator. I think he'll do a great job of motivating the kids and getting the best out of them. I played with him, he's a talker, and he's going to motivate. Well all have to support him as former players and the university and the city of Syracuse have to support him and I'm excited about this new opportunity for him," said Moten.