The University of Miami has officially secured Jai Lucas as its new head coach for the men’s basketball program. It has marked a significant step in the program’s quest for resurgence.
After nearly two weeks of negotiations following an initial agreement, both parties have finalized the contract. Lucas, who has quickly ascended the coaching ranks, now takes the reins of a program eager to reclaim its former glory.
Miami Hurricanes Hire Jai Lucas as Next Head Coach
According to a source familiar with the negotiations, Lucas’ official introduction to the Miami community is set for Monday.
The university plans to make a formal announcement on Thursday, with all contractual details settled behind closed doors. The 35-year-old Lucas, currently an associate head coach at Duke, is expected to sign a five-year contract to lead the Hurricanes.
Jai Lucas ➡️ Miami 👀
The Hurricanes announce the signing of their new head coach 👏 pic.twitter.com/37NPzTyyIE
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 6, 2025
Before officially stepping into his new role, Lucas will first complete his responsibilities at Duke, including coaching the Blue Devils in their regular-season finale against North Carolina on Saturday.
Afterward, he will head to Coral Gables on Sunday to begin his new position in Miami the following day.
Miami conducted an extensive search before zeroing in on Lucas as its top candidate. The school interviewed several potential hires, including coaches with both college and NBA backgrounds. Ultimately, they saw Lucas, the son of former NBA coach John Lucas, as the ideal person to guide the Hurricanes into a new era.
Lucas will succeed Jim Larrañaga, who abruptly stepped down in December, leaving Miami in a state of uncertainty. In the interim, longtime associate head coach Bill Courtney took over, guiding the team through the remainder of the season.
However, with the Hurricanes finishing near the bottom of the ACC standings, the program sought a fresh, permanent leader.
The hiring of Lucas comes at a pivotal time for Miami. Just two years ago, the Hurricanes were celebrating a historic Final Four appearance. Fast forward to today, and they are on the brink of setting a school record for the most losses in a single season.
Entering their season finale against N.C. State on Saturday, Miami stands at a dismal 6-24 overall with a 2-17 conference record.
Lucas faces the daunting task of rebuilding a program that has suffered a dramatic collapse. The team’s struggles began last season despite a promising 11-2 start.
Since then, Miami has gone 10-39, a shocking downturn for a program that recently stood among the nation’s elite. With the transfer portal opening on March 24, Miami prioritized having its new coach in place to begin immediate roster reconstruction.
Lucas Brings Recruiting Firepower to Miami
One of Lucass standout qualities is his reputation as an elite recruiter. His efforts were instrumental in Duke securing twin brothers Cameron and Cayden Boozer—two of the most sought-after prospects in recent years.
The Boozer twins, sons of former Duke and NBA star Carlos Boozer, hail from Miami, making their commitment to the Blue Devils a major win over their hometown program.
Before joining Duke, Lucas spent two seasons at Kentucky, where he served as both a recruiting coordinator and assistant coach. His time with the Wildcats further cemented his ability to attract top-tier talent.
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Prior to that, he spent seven years at Texas, his alma mater, working his way up from special assistant to director of basketball operations, eventually becoming a full-time assistant coach.
Lucas’ playing career also provides him with valuable experience. He began his college basketball journey in Florida, starting 36 games for the Gators during the 2007-08 season before transferring to Texas. After a brief professional career, he shifted his focus to coaching, where he has rapidly climbed the ranks.
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