Adrian Autry was named the new head coach of the Orange men's basketball team last month, replacing the legendary Jim Boeheim, who announced his retirement.

Autry says he's ready to follow in the footsteps of an all-time great.

“He’s a mentor," Autry said. "Not only as a coach but as a father figure.”

For the last 12 years, Autry and Boeheim have shared a sideline through the highs and the lows. Taking over at his alma mater has always been a desire of Autry’s.

“Once I got into college basketball and I got into coaching, this was the dream, you know, once I figured out, 'Hey, I want to go into coaching,'" Autry said. "This is my dream. This is it for me. I don't know if I can, you know, be here for 40 years, but this is, you know, this is the dream for me.”

And with Boeheim still holding a role as special assistant to the athletic director, Autry knows he has a valuable asset in his corner.

What You Need To Know

  • Jim Boeheim is much more than a coach for Adrian Autry

  • Following in the footsteps of a Hall of Fame coach is not easy, but Autry is unfazed

  • He says he will continue to keep the standards high within the program

“I know I can go to him and ask him anything," Autry said. "There’s not anything he’s not seen or experienced in this business. I’m very fortunate. I think the program is very fortunate to still have him around.”

But does he feel the pressure following in the footsteps of Boeheim?

“No, not at all," Autry said. "I can only be the best version of myself. No one can do, and no one can replicate Jim Boeheim, so I just have to be the best version of Adrian Autry.”

Boeheim’s near five-decade tenure as head coach was defined by success. It's something Autry hopes to continue. But with change comes a different philosophy on the court as Autry hopes to implement an up-tempo and aggressive style of play.

“When I thought about how I wanted my program to look and how I wanted to play, those were the words and those are the things that come to mind," Autry said. "I think it’s exciting. I’m looking forward to implementing that style and being able to show that out there. And show it when the season starts next year.”

But change is always scary. It comes with its own twists and turns. All Autry asks for is time and a little faith.

“I think the one thing you'll see and hopefully you'll see is that, you know, we will play hard," Autry said. "We're going to play together and we're going to fight. And hopefully, the results will be what we all want them to be.”