Jim Larrañaga has announced his resignation as head coach of the University of Miami’s basketball team, effective immediately. The 75-year-old coach made the decision known on Thursday, expressing his ongoing passion for the university and the sport, but revealing his disappointment with the current state of college basketball. Associate head coach Bill Courtney, who is a close friend of Larrañaga for nearly 30 years, will step in to lead the team for the remainder of the season.
During a press conference, Larrañaga shared his feelings of exhaustion following a challenging period in his coaching career. He acknowledged the significant changes in the landscape of college athletics, particularly with the introduction of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, which he contends have profoundly altered the nature of the sport. In particular, he noted the impact of the transfer portal, which saw eight players from his team enter their names shortly after the Hurricanes achieved a Final Four appearance in 2023, despite their claims that they were happy at Miami.
Larrañaga’s departure ends a remarkable 14-year coaching stint with the Hurricanes and wraps up a lengthy 41-year career, during which he won a total of 744 games across several schools including Miami, George Mason, and Bowling Green. His notable achievements include steering Miami to the Final Four in 2023 as well as leading George Mason to a similar feat in 2006. ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips praised Larrañaga, describing him as a highly respected figure in both Miami and ACC coaching history, noting his integrity and class throughout his tenure.
Miami’s current season record stands at just 4-8, and they have suffered a disheartening 5-19 record over their last 24 games, a sharp decline for a program that enjoyed significant success merely two seasons ago. Larrañaga’s frustrations echo broader concerns among coaches regarding the lack of oversight and consistency in NIL regulations, which he feels complicates the coaching landscape. He emphasized that his players are not to blame for the struggles, but rather highlighted the systemic issues that hinder the team’s progress.
Despite having a contract that extended to 2027, Larrañaga spent the weekend reflecting on his situation and the request from university officials to reconsider his decision. Ultimately, he finalized his choice on Monday, recognizing the evolving nature of coaching as a profession in 2024 compared to just a few years prior, as noted by Miami athletic director Dan Radakovich.
Larrañaga’s resignation aligns with a growing trend in the Atlantic Coast Conference, where other esteemed coaches like Tony Bennett from Virginia and Roy Williams from North Carolina have also recently stepped down, each attributing their departures to the changing dynamics within college athletics. Bennett, for instance, has openly discussed the drawbacks of NIL, asserting that it’s created an unhealthy environment.
A former assistant under Larrañaga, George Washington head coach Chris Caputo, reflected on the impact Larrañaga had on his career and noted how under Larrañaga’s leadership, Miami transformed from an irrelevant program to a recognized competitor in the NCAA landscape.
This marks the second unexpected coaching change for Miami’s basketball programs in 2024 following the departure of women’s coach Katie Meier earlier this year. Meier has since taken on a different role within the university. Miami administration is expected to offer Larrañaga a new position, although details have yet to be disclosed.
Larrañaga began his coaching career in 1977 at American International College while also sharing a unique story from his own high school days. When the varsity team’s coach left mid-season, the freshman Larrañaga was given the opportunity to coach, showcasing his passion for the game from an early age. With over 60 years in the sport, he leaves behind a legacy that includes playing at Providence and coaching numerous players who advanced to the professional level. He attained AP national coach of the year honors in 2013 and was recently recognized as a candidate for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Miami Heat’s coach, Erik Spoelstra, expressed his admiration for Larrañaga, emphasizing the community spirit he fostered within the basketball program and how enjoyable it was to watch the team’s evolution during Larrañaga’s tenure. As the basketball community reflects on his significant contributions, his departure marks the end of an era for Hurricanes basketball.
