Earlier this week, Miami men's basketball coach Jim Larrañaga resigned for the last time as leader of a major college program. Tony Bennett resigned from his position at the University of Virginia before the start of the regular season.
Despite being the winningest head coach in program history, Larrañaga ended his 14th season in Miami abruptly, at least in part because of his name, image, and visibility (NIL) in college sports. It was the cause.
At a press conference announcing his retirement on Dec. 26, Larrañaga, 75, said he was “exhausted” by the transfer portal and battles with the NIL.
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Miami head coach Jim Larrañaga spoke to the media on Thursday, December 26, 2024, at the Watusco Center in Coral Gables, Florida, to announce his retirement. (DA Varela/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
“At this point, after 53 years, I just didn't feel like I could successfully navigate this whole new world that I was facing,” Larrañaga told reporters, referring to NIL. .
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“There is one thing you always have to ask yourself: Do I give myself everything I have, the commitment I deserve, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually? Are you going to give 100%?'' Larrañaga added. “And frankly, as much as I've been trying to do it all my life and all the time I've been here, I'm exhausted.”
Miami Hurricanes head coach Jim Larrañaga during the Jimmy V Classic game against the Tennessee Volunteers on December 10, 2024 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
It had been less than two years since Larrañaga led the Hurricanes to the Final Four, but Miami was 4-8 when he decided to retire. Miami finished the 2023-24 season with a record of 15 wins and 17 losses.
Assistant Bill Courtney will take over as head coach on an interim basis.
October 30, 2024 at the Watsco Center on the University of Miami campus in Coral Gables, Florida. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
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Under Larrañaga, Miami has qualified for the NCAA Tournament six times and advanced to the Sweet 16 four times. The Hurricanes also reached the Elite Eight for the first time in program history in 2022 and the Final Four in 2023.
Miami won the ACC Tournament title in 2013.
Prior to taking over at Miami, Larrañaga spent 14 seasons at George Mason. He led the mid-major program to a shocking appearance in the Final Four in 2006.
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