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