New Syracuse University men’s basketball head coach Adrian Autry stressed Friday at his introductory press conference that, while the voice on the sideline and the ideas on the practice court may change, the standards established under Jim Boeheim will stay in place.

“When I think about what attracted me to Syracuse as a player, I think about the history and rich tradition,” Autry said in his remarks at the Melo Center practice facility. “As I take over this program, it is these standards that will guide us in the future.”

Autry, 51, was tapped Wednesday as the Orange’s new head coach, following the departure of Jim Boeheim after 47 years leading the program. Autry was an SU player himself – like Boeheim – and had been serving on staff as associate head coach.

He thanked fans for their passion, addressed his players and thanked Boeheim for mentoring him through the years both on and off the court.

“Thirty-three years ago, I arrived at Syracuse University as a young man. I always say I was the easiest McDonald’s All-American you had to recruit,” Autry said. “From day one, [Boeheim] took me under his wing as a player, and most recently a coach.

“Throughout the recruiting process, I know you always heard about Syracuse as a family, and how we take care of our own. Today is a testament to that. I’m excited for the future and what we’re going to do together.”

Athletic director John Wildhack said the decision to elevate Autry to head coach was the result of “a lot of studying over the years,” and was not a decision he’d only arrived at recently. While he acknowledged that other candidates he’d considered in recent years had moved on to other basketball coaching jobs, he stressed that Autry had earned his new job through both recruiting and mentorship of SU players.

“Adrian’s not here because he’s an alum or because he’s the associate head coach here,” Wildhack said. “Adrian is very well prepared to lead this program.”

Boeheim said he’s known Autry since the new head coach was a 16-year-old player in Harlem – “He had 30 [points] in New York City against Kenny Anderson and I said, ‘That’s a guy we gotta get to come to Syracuse.'" Boeheim added Autry’s strengths are not limited to recruiting and mentorship, and that lack of head coaching experience won’t be an issue.

“Adrian Autry does not need an older mentor to help him to coach. He can coach,” Boeheim said. “He’s not here as a recruiter or a mentor. … He knows how to coach. He has a couple of assistants [Gerry McNamara and Allen Griffin] who are good enough to be head coaches.”

Autry said he will take some time building out the staff behind Griffin and McNamara – both former Syracuse players themselves – but added that he’s excited to retain the assistants from Boeheim’s staff.

As for on-the-court plans, Autry said he wants future SU teams to play with “some pace” and be adaptable.

“We want to be versatile on both ends of the floor,” the new coach said. “We want to be aggressive; we want to get up and down. Just being able to adapt, I think that’s where we’re starting at.”

He’s hoping to retain many of the players from this year’s 17-15 squad, in the hope that they’ll gain experience from some close conference losses and improve in 2023-24. Autry said the program also could add to the roster from the NCAA’s transfer portal when needed.

“Tomorrow, we will get to work,” he said.