University of Miami head coach Jim Larranaga has surprised the basketball world, as he announced that he will be stepping down following the team's sluggish start to the season (4-8 record).
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Notably, Larranaga led Miami to a Final Four berth in 2023 and an Elite Eight in 2022.
The 75-year-old coach has quite the resume, as he is also most known for leading No. 11 George Mason to a Cinderella Final Four appearance during the 2006 season.
In view of the Hurricanes' recent struggles, they have now lost 18-of-22 games, since losing their last 10 games last season.
That is, the team totally revamped and changed the roster from the previous year, as there are 10 new players on the roster.
However, this didn't seem to fix the problems, as this year their struggles have continued.
The writing may have been on the wall, as following the team's overtime loss vs. Mount St. Mary's on December 21, Larranaga was visibly distraught with the team's performance.
"We have the same issues since the start of the season, and that's defense and rebounding," Larranaga said in the postgame interviews.
"We're right now ranked (21st) in the country in offensive efficiency and you would never know that watching us play because we give up so many points and second-chance points and the defense is... as much as we worked on it and I try to improve it, it's been very, very challenging and frustrating for both the coaches and the players."
Upon announcing his retirement the day after Christmas, Larranaga answered some questions in his opening statement, while hinting that it was because college basketball has become "too professional" with NIL deal money.
"I'm exhausted... I've tried every which way to keep this going," Larranaga said. "We made it to the Final 4 just 18 months ago... The first time I met with the players, 8 of them decided they were hitting the [transfer] portal... The opportunity to make money somewhere else has created a situation, you have to begin to ask yourself as coach, 'what is this all about?'"
"We made it to the Final 4 just 18 months ago... The first time I met with the players, 8 of them decided they were hitting the [transfer] portal... What is this all about?"
Miami coach Jim Larranaga explains why he's retiring 🗣️
(via @MiamiHurricanes)pic.twitter.com/AojIzsKQCg
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 26, 2024
"I just didn't feel like that I could successfully navigate this whole new world that I was dealing with because my conversations were ridiculous with an agent saying to me, 'Well, you can get involved if you're willing to go to $1.1M' and that be the norm..."
Ultimately, Larranaga has had a storied 14-year coaching career in Miami, leading the program to 4 Sweets 16s, 2 Elite Eights, and 1 Final Four.
With a record of 274-174 as head coach of the Hurricanes, he is the all-time winningest coach in school history.
"After more than fifty years in college coaching, it is simply time," Larranaga said in a statement. "It has been the honor of a lifetime to be a part of the Hurricane Family and to represent this world-class institution. Most importantly, I have been so blessed to have coached the hundreds of young men who chose to wear the UM jersey and who have gone on to flourish in their respective journeys. I will always be a Cane."
The Miami Hurricanes have been to one Final Four in program history. It was under Jim Larrañaga. The George Mason Patriots have been to one Final Four in program history. It was under Jim Larrañaga. Heck of a coach and a man in the sport who is beloved. Another big ACC departure.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) December 26, 2024
Leader. Teacher. Mentor. Friend.
Thank you, Coach L 🙌🏀 pic.twitter.com/hO8SZzSNEx— Canes Men’s Basketball (@CanesHoops) December 26, 2024
While the team awaits the next hire, assistant Bill Courtney will take over as Miami's interim coach.
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