For 47 years, Jim Boeheim led the Orange to unprecedented success, turning the program into a national powerhouse before retiring in March of 2023.

The decision to leave the game, he said, came at the right time in his career.

“I never missed it," Boeheim said of coaching. "I was surprised. I would have thought, for sure. But not even one day. It just felt like, you know, that was that was good, and that it was the right time.”

He’s embracing his new roles as special assistant to Director of Athletics John Wildhack, and helping to raise money for the university, even if he thought there would be more free time.

“I play less golf and a little less fishing than I thought I would, but that's OK," Boeheim said with a smile. "Being active this year has been helpful. It's been fun watching this team. They've really overachieved. Adrian (Autry) has done an unbelievable job with this team, with the limit of players losing players, hurt, injured, whatever, and being so young. The youngest team in the country. They play six sophomores, no juniors, no seniors. I mean, they've had an amazingly, really solid year.”

The game is part of his life’s work. Boeheim just can’t seem to get away from basketball. After years of playing and coaching, he stays close to the game working in studio or as a color analyst for the ACC Network, enjoying a different side of basketball.

“I like it. I like it a lot more than I thought," Boeheim said of TV work.

It's a journey that doesn’t happen without Jim’s biggest support group.

“Family is the important thing and I've been very fortunate with Julie and with my kids, just great supporters. And you know, to be able to coach your sons is just an opportunity that very few people get. And I was able to be able to do all that," he said. "So I couldn't be more grateful for all the good things that have happened to me since I came to Syracuse and 1962 was a walk on. Never would've anticipated all the things that have happened."