Miami Invests in Jai Lucas to Revive Hoops Powerhouse in NIL Era

The Miami Hurricanes have found their new head coach.

The Hurricanes have hired Jai Lucas to be the next head coach of their men’s basketball program, the school announced Thursday. Lucas is currently the associate head coach at Duke and has helped the No. 2 Blue Devils achieve a 27–3 record this season.

The financial details of the deal have not been disclosed, but ESPN reported the 36-year-old will sign a five-year contract. ESPN first reported that the two sides had reached a verbal agreement on Feb. 23.

Lucas joined Duke in 2022 alongside head coach Jon Scheyer, who took over for Mike Krzyzewski. He was vital in the Blue Devils’ recruitment of this year’s Wooden Award favorite Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 recruit in the 2024 class, as well as the incoming 2025 class headlined by twin brothers Cameron and Cayden Boozer.

Lucas will remain with the Blue Devils until the end of the regular season—the team has one final game Saturday against North Carolina—before Miami formally introduces him as head coach March 10. He will not be with Duke during their run in the ACC tournament or NCAA tournament.

Lucas takes over in Miami for Jim Larrañaga, who stepped down in December after more than 13 seasons as head coach. Larrañaga is the winningest coach in program history, and he led the Hurricanes to the Final Four in 2023—the deepest run in school history—but also the last time they made the tournament.

Larrañaga said in December that he was “exhausted” because of how NIL (name, image, and likeness) has resulted in more roster turnover in the NCAA.

“What shocked me beyond belief, was after we made the Final Four, eight of my players said they were gonna leave,” he said.

How Miami Has Fallen

The Hurricanes have had two losing seasons since making the Final Four, including a 6–24 record this season. This year’s team will finish with the worst winning percentage in program history, regardless of the result of its final game Saturday against NC State, and will miss the ACC tournament. 

However, Miami has shown a willingness to spend in the NIL era—particularly on its football program, which On3 reported last year had a $15 million budget. The hiring of Lucas indicates the team’s dedication to turning around its men’s basketball program as well.

In an interview with Hurricanes broadcaster Joe Zagacki, Lucas pointed out his focus on recruiting both in his staff and players.

“I want to be the most connected program in the country. Making sure I recruit ‘connectors’ is what I like to call them,” Lucas said. “Three things that we really are valuing in my program are relationships, development, and competition.”