Symir Torrence Joined Onondaga Community College Staff
The 25-year-old former Syracuse standout has retired from professional basketball to begin his coaching career.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Basketball
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Symir Torrence, who played at Marquette, Syracuse, and Binghamton, has joined the coaching staff at Onondaga Community College. Torrence retired from professional basketball following a career stint in Belgium due to health concerns and a desire to transition into coaching.
Why it matters
Torrence retired from professional play after a recurring injury and a reported loss of passion for his playing career, prompting him to seek a new role at the community college level. He reached out to head coach Mike Sugamosto to secure his spot on the existing staff.
Symir Torrence is 25 years old and joins a staff already featuring assistants Luke Southerland, Chris Gilkes, and Dan Frisina. The Onondaga Community College basketball team has maintained a schedule of three practices per week since September 1.
The players
Symir Torrence
He is a 25-year-old former college basketball player who competed at Marquette, Syracuse, and Binghamton.
Mike Sugamosto
He serves as the head coach of the Onondaga Community College basketball team.
Luke Southerland
He is a member of the coaching staff at Onondaga Community College.
Chris Gilkes
He is a member of the coaching staff at Onondaga Community College.
Dan Frisina
He is a member of the coaching staff at Onondaga Community College.
The details
Torrence previously competed in Finland and for the Motor City Cruise before his final professional tenure in Belgium. He returned home to Syracuse approximately two weeks before September 25, 2026, to finalize his move into the collegiate coaching ranks.
Timeline
September 1, 2026: The team began practicing three times a week.
September 2026: Symir Torrence announced his retirement from basketball.
October 1, 2026: The team increases practice frequency to every day.
November 21, 2026: The Onondaga Community College season begins against Kingsborough Community College.
Season Trajectory
Torrence's addition to the staff provides the team with a coach who has recent experience in high-level collegiate and professional basketball. This move strengthens the developmental resources available to players as the team prepares for their season opener in November.
With practices moving to a daily schedule on October 1, the team's conditioning will ramp up significantly before the November 21 season opener. Players can expect increased intensity during drills as the full coaching staff, now including Torrence, finalizes rotations.
The takeaway
Transitioning from professional play to coaching allows athletes to leverage their recent experience while managing long-term physical health. For young coaches, this path offers a way to remain involved in the sport while mentoring the next generation of players.
What happens next
The Onondaga Community College team will begin daily practices on October 1, 2026, followed by their season opener against Kingsborough Community College on November 21, 2026.
Further reading
For more updates on the upcoming collegiate season, visit Basketball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Syracuse.
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