Jim Larranaga enjoying new life in retirement, excited to be Miami fan in Jai Lucas era

Jim Larranaga is ready for retirement in South Florida. Sounds typical of a veteran coach or worker doesn’t it?

The former Miami coach stepped down in December and now the Hurricanes finally turned to Jai Lucas as their new head coach. The former Duke associate head coach created enough buzz for Larranaga to be really excited.

In fact, the coach announced he has a new radio show and will stick around Miami and the program. But, he’s going to let Lucas do his thing and he can’t wait to watch.

“Well, Jai Lucas already reached out to me, and we had a very nice conversation, and I’ve told him, whatever I can do to help him be successful, I’m willing to do,” Larranaga said. “I’ve also talked to his dad, and his dad has said he’s encouraged Jai to lean on him, but he’s going to have a whole staff. You know, my era is over. The Jai Lucas era begins now, and I’m going to be a fan. I’ll be at the games next year, cheering them on.”

Will Larranga chop it up on radio as a hot take artist? Probably not, but he’ll talk some Miami basketball it seems like.

“I’m enjoying my new life,” Larranga said. “I’ve got a radio show on WQAM 560, 2:30 on Thursday afternoons, you should tune in. And anybody that’s listening to this tune into my radio show, and then also, I’m writing a book. I’ve hired a literary agent and a collaborator, and I’m busy trying to put together a book that I hope everybody will want to read.”

Larranaga will be around as an ambassador for now. What kind of role will he play? It remains to be seen but he’ll still be coaching, so to speak.

“I’m still working at the university. I’m going to be an ambassador. I’m going to teach a class. I love the U,” Larranaga said. “I love Coral Gables. My wife and I plan on staying.”

Larranaga is retiring after piling up 744 wins during his college basketball career. In addition to being a Division I head coach at George Mason and Miami, he also was the head coach at Bowling Green from 1986-1997.

Larranaga is the winningest coach in Miami basketball history. He has been with the program since the 2011-12 season. He reached the NCAA Tournament six times during his time at Miami, including making the Elite 8 in 2022 and Final 4 in 2023. However, the Hurricanes had a losing record in 2023-24 and appear on their way to having another losing season in 2024-25.

Miami started out the 2024-25 season with three straight wins, before losing seven games in a row. That stretch included losses to Drake, Charleston Southern and VCU. Larranaga and Miami did bounce back to beat Presbyterian on Dec. 15, before falling to Mount St. Mary’s in overtime on Dec. 21.