Larranaga steps down as Miami head coach
Miami head coach Jim Larranaga announced Thursday he's stepping down after 14 seasons with the school.
Bill Courtney will be promoted from assistant to head coach for the remainder of the season.
"After more than fifty years in college coaching, it is simply time," said Larranaga in a press release. "There is never a great moment to step away, but I owe it to our student-athletes, our staff and the University of Miami to make this move now when my heart is simply no longer in the game and I owe it to Liz, Jay, Jon, and my grandchildren to be a greater part of their lives."
He continued: "The University needs a new leader of the program, one who is both adept at and embracing of the new world of intercollegiate athletics. 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."
NIL was one of the main reasons Larranaga decided to step down, as losing players after successful seasons left him questioning, "What is this all about?" per The Field of 68.
"After we went to the 2023 Final Four, eight players wanted to transfer or seek better NIL deals," Larranaga added, according to CBS' Jon Rothstein. "They told me they loved it at Miami, but wanted to seek a better deal."
Larranaga is the winningest coach in program history with a 274-174 record. He led the school to six NCAA Tournament appearances, including four trips to the Sweet 16, the Hurricanes' first Elite Eight in 2022, and their first Final Four in 2023.
Things went downhill for Larranaga and his school after the 2023 run, as the Canes finished with a 15-17 record in 2023-24 and began this campaign at 4-8. They have lost 18 of their past 22 games dating back to last season.
The 75-year-old led Miami to two ACC regular-season titles in 2013 and 2023 and the programs first ACC Tournament title in 2013. He has also racked up personal honors during his illustrious career, including ACC Coach of the Year (2013, 2016), AP College Coach of the Year (2013), and Naismith College Coach of the Year (2013).
Larranaga was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
"It is hard to fully articulate just what Jim Larranaga has meant to the University of Miami," said Miami president Joe Echevarria. "His contributions go well beyond the wins, the championships and the Final Four run in 2023. He has elevated our athletics program and increased the visibility of our institution by championing our educational mission."
Larranaga has been coaching since 1971 when he took on an assistant role with Davidson. He also spent time at Virginia as an assistant before becoming head coach of Bowling Green in 1986. Prior to joining Miami, Larranaga coached George Mason for 14 years from 1997-2011.
He has totaled an impressive 740 wins in his coaching career.