Former Miami basketball coach Jim Larrañaga left ‘exhausted’ by NIL’s impact on college sports

Miami men’s basketball coach Jim Larrañaga made headlines this week when he announced his retirement after 14 seasons with the program. His departure came amidst a wave of coaching changes in college basketball, with Tony Bennett also stepping down from his position at Virginia.

Larrañaga, the winningest head coach in Miami’s history, cited the challenges of dealing with the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness (NIL) in college sports as factors that contributed to his decision. In a press conference, the 75-year-old coach expressed his exhaustion in navigating the new landscape of college athletics.

The Hurricanes had a disappointing 4-8 record at the time of Larrañaga’s retirement, a stark contrast to their Final Four appearance less than two years prior. Assistant coach Bill Courtney has been named as the interim head coach as Miami looks to regroup and move forward.

During his tenure at Miami, Larrañaga led the team to six NCAA Tournament appearances, including four Sweet 16 berths, an Elite Eight appearance in 2022, and a historic Final Four run in 2023. The Hurricanes also captured the ACC tournament title in 2013, adding to Larrañaga’s legacy as a successful coach.

Prior to his time at Miami, Larrañaga spent 14 seasons at George Mason, where he famously guided the mid-major program to a surprising Final Four appearance in 2006. His coaching acumen and ability to lead teams to postseason success have solidified his reputation as one of the top coaches in college basketball.

As Miami looks to the future without Larrañaga at the helm, the program will undoubtedly be seeking a new leader to build on the success and traditions established during his tenure. The legacy of Coach Larrañaga will be remembered fondly by Hurricanes fans and college basketball enthusiasts alike.