Two-Minute Drill: Miami vs. Iowa State in Pop-Tarts Bowl; Bucs need win
Heisman finalist Cam Ward leads the Miami Hurricanes into the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.; Buccaneers need win to stay in playoff hunt.
Jim Larrañaga is stepping down as Miami’s basketball coach following a slow start to the 2024-25 season, two years after leading the Hurricanes to their first Final Four.
The university announced Thursday that Larrañaga, 75, is retiring immediately. Miami is off to a 4-8 start following a 78-74 overtime loss to Mount St. Mary’s on Dec. 21. The Hurricanes have lost eight of nine games following a 3-0 start to the season and have lost 18 of their last 22 dating back to last season.
Associate head coach Bill Courtney will take over the team in an interim role.
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“After more than fifty years in college coaching, it is simply time,” Larrañaga said in a statement. “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.”
In 14 seasons with the Hurricanes, Larrañaga accumulated a 274-174 record, becoming the winningest coach in program history. Miami has made six NCAA Tournament appearances under Larrañaga, including four Sweet 16 trips. The program reached its first Elite Eight in 2022 and first Final Four in 2023.
“It is hard to fully articulate just what Jim Larrañaga has meant to the University of Miami,” Miami President Joe Echevarria said. “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.”
Miami defeated No. 1 seed Houston in the Sweet 16 in 2023 and No. 2 seed Texas in the Elite Eight. The Hurricanes were eliminated from the tournament by eventual champion UConn 72-59 in the Final Four.
During the Elite Eight run during the 2021-22 season, Miami knocked out No. 2 seed Auburn in the second round and defeated No. 11 seed Iowa State in the Sweet 16 before being knocked out by No. 1 seed Kansas in the regional semifinals.
Following their run to the Final Four two seasons ago, the Hurricanes ended the 2023-24 season on a 10-game losing streak and finished 15-17. This was the team’s first losing season under Larrañaga since the 2020-21 season.
Miami returns to action on Jan. 1 on the road against Boston College. The game will be the second ACC matchup of the season for the Hurricanes, who lost 65-55 to Clemson on Dec. 7.
Jim Larrañaga career record
Larrañaga has a career record of 716-483, with stops at Bowling Green State, George Mason and Miami during his 39-year coaching career.
Here’s a look at his career:
- 1986-87 (Bowling Green State): 15-14
- 1987-88: 12-16
- 1988-89: 12-16
- 1989-90: 18-11
- 1990-91: 17-13
- 1991-92: 14-15
- 1992-93: 11-16
- 1993-94: 18-10
- 1994-95: 16-11
- 1995-96: 14-13
- 1996-97: 22-10
- 1997-98 (George Mason): 9-18
- 1998-99: 19-11
- 1999-00: 19-11
- 2000-01: 18-12
- 2001-02: 19-10
- 2002-03: 16-12
- 2003-04: 23-10
- 2004-05: 16-13
- 2005-06: 27-8
- 2006-07: 18-15
- 2007-08: 23-11
- 2008-09: 22-11
- 2009-10: 17-15
- 2010-11: 27-7
- 2011-12 (Miami): 20-13
- 2012-13: 29-7
- 2013-14: 17-16
- 2014-15: 25-13
- 2015-16: 27-8
- 2016-17: 21-12
- 2017-18: 22-10
- 2018-19: 14-18
- 2019-20: 15-16
- 2020-21: 10-17
- 2021-22: 26-11
- 2022-23: 29-8
- 2023-24: 15-17
- 2024-25: 4-8
