Jai Lucas is set to embark on a new journey with the University of Miami, confident that the school has the keys to excel in collegiate basketball. After negotiations that lasted nearly two weeks, Lucas has been officially declared the next head coach for the Miami Hurricanes, leaving his current role as associate head coach at Duke. The announcement was made on Thursday, accompanied by the finalization of a five-year contract. Lucas will be formally introduced on Monday at a press conference in Coral Gables.
“Jai clearly grasps the dynamics of competing both on and off the court in today’s college basketball environment and recognizes the immense potential at Miami,” said Dan Radakovich, Miami’s athletic director. “We are thrilled that Jai is coming aboard here in Coral Gables.” As he prepares to transition, Lucas will stay with Duke for their concluding regular-season matchup against North Carolina on Saturday. Over his three years at Duke, Lucas has established himself as a top recruiter.
“I am thrilled and humbled to be chosen as the head coach at the University of Miami,” Lucas, aged 36, shared. “With Miami’s exceptional academics, dedicated fan support, and athletic ambition, alongside the vibrant culture of the city, it’s a unique place filled with opportunity.” During their selection process, Miami evaluated candidates hailing from both collegiate and NBA backgrounds, quickly determining Lucas, the son of former NBA coach John Lucas, as their primary choice.
Lucas takes over from Jim Larrañaga, who unexpectedly stepped down in December, with Bill Courtney, the associate head coach, stepping in temporarily. Courtney will coach Miami’s final game of the season on Saturday as Lucas readies to embark on his new role. As Lucas leaves, Duke eyes a potential national title, boasting a 27-3 record and holding an anticipated No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. The Blue Devils’ season could extend to early April with the transfer portal opening on March 24, prompting Miami’s need to secure their new coach by that time.
Given the circumstances, Duke’s Jon Scheyer remarked, “Timing is not ideal. However, it was the necessary move. Jai will coach our last regular-season game and then transition entirely to Miami. Here at Duke, our focus will pivot to pursuing a remarkable post-season run.” Miami — two years past a Final Four journey — wraps their disappointing run at 2-17 in the ACC and 6-24 overall, teetering on the brink of setting a new school record for the most losses in a season. They will face N.C. State at home for the finale.
Following a promising 11-2 start last year, Miami plummeted, amassing a 10-39 record since their national semi-finals appearance — a situation Lucas is tasked with reversing. While at Duke, Lucas played a key role in recruiting twin brothers Cameron and Cayden Boozer, sons of former Duke and NBA player Carlos Boozer. Originally from Miami, the Boozer twins were also prime targets for the Hurricanes. Notably, Lucas has also been Duke’s defensive coordinator, with previous experience at Kentucky as a recruiting coordinator and assistant, following a stint at Texas, his alma mater.
Lucas, who began his collegiate career at Florida, later transferred to Texas where he continued playing before a brief professional stint. Transitioning to coaching, he looks forward to relocating to Coral Gables with his family. “We are eager to immerse ourselves in the Miami community and begin this new chapter,” Lucas expressed.
