After more than 13 seasons with the program and over 50 years in coaching, Jim Larrañaga announced on Thursday that he would stepping down as the head men’s basketball coach of the Miami Hurricanes. Larrañaga leaves as the winningest head coach in program history (274-174) and finishes his career with 744 total wins across four different schools.
“After more than fifty years in college coaching, it is simply time,” said Larrañaga. “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. 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. I will always be a Cane.”
The Hurricanes are struggling this year with just 4 wins through 12 games, but less than two years ago made a run to the
2023 NCAA Final Four in what was sixth time taking the team to March Madness. For the coach, it was his second Final Four with his first coming in 2006 when he lead the
George Mason Patriots on a magical run as an 11-seed. He went to 11 NCAA Tournaments in total and won seven conference championships, most recently in 2023.
“It is hard to fully articulate just what Jim Larrañaga has meant to the University of Miami,” said UM 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. Perhaps most importantly, he has recruited tremendous young men to Coral Gables who earned their degrees and who impacted the community, and we are grateful for his service. As a University, we will honor his legacy by continuing to invest in our men’s basketball program and by pursuing a new leader of our program who will take us to unprecedented heights. With a world-class institution, incredible fans and a commitment to championships, I am confident in what comes next.”
“It is hard to fully articulate just what Jim Larrañaga has meant to the University of Miami,” said UM 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. Perhaps most importantly, he has recruited tremendous young men to Coral Gables who earned their degrees and who impacted the community, and we are grateful for his service. As a University, we will honor his legacy by continuing to invest in our men’s basketball program and by pursuing a new leader of our program who will take us to unprecedented heights. With a world-class institution, incredible fans and a commitment to championships, I am confident in what comes next.”
Bill Courtney, the former head coach at
Cornell who has been on Larrañaga’s staff at Miami since 2019, will lead the Hurricanes for the remainder of the season. Courtney also worked under Larrañaga at both Mason and
Bowling Green.
“Bill Courtney has been by Jim’s side during some of our most successful seasons and plays a significant role in our program, both on the court and off,” said AD Dan Radakovich. “Elevating Bill to Interim Head Coach for the remainder of this season was an easy decision and will ensure a smooth transition for our student-athletes as we resume ACC play. I am confident that Bill and the rest of our coaching staff will rise to the occasion and lead us in the right direction.”
credit to Miami Athletics for the image
