Mario Cristobal reacts to retirement of Jim Larrañaga

Mario Cristobal was as surprised as anyone in Coral Gables with the sudden news regarding Jim Larrañaga.

At a press conference ahead of the Pop-Tarts Bowl tomorrow, Cristobal answered a question about Larrañaga stepping down as the head basketball coach at Miami. He said that was a heavy one to hear, considering what he has meant to him and to the Hurricanes. He’s already ready to bring him back to The ‘U,’ though, in speaking to those in his own program.

“Man, that was a hard one. It really was,” said Cristobal this morning in Orlando. “Love and respect to him. I mean, he’s iconic. He is legendary. Certainly just put that program on his back and went to work. I mean, he will be missed tremendously.”

“He’s just an exceptional human being,” Cristobal. “I look forward to getting with him and picking his brain on leadership and on team-building and culture, getting him over and having him in front of the guys. I know he always wants to be involved with the University of Miami.”

However, Larrañaga’s decision could also be a good thing for the Hurricanes’ football team.

“I’m going to raid his roster for tight ends and defensive ends,” Cristobal joked.

It was unfortunate for those at Miami to see Larrañaga go after 14 years despite how the last season and a half have gone. Still, they’ll be ready to welcome him back considering what all he accomplished at the school, including Coach Cristobal.

“You couldn’t ask for a better human being and a better leader for a program and for young men than Coach L,” said Cristobal. “So, Coach L, love to you, man. You know, certainly, hey, I look forward to seeing you here down the line but really appreciate everything you’ve done for community, for program, for the University of Miami.”

Larrañaga’s retirement opens 30-day transfer portal for Miami basketball

Jim Larrañaga stepped down as Miami’s men’s basketball head coach on Thursday, ending a 14-year stint with the Hurricanes. Larrañaga’s abrupt, mid-season decision surprised many. On3’s Joe Tipton reported that players found out the news on social media.

Now, Larrañaga’s departure triggers the 30-day transfer portal window for the Hurricanes’ players. NCAA rules allow athletes on a team with a coaching change to enter the portal the day after the change. In this case, Miami’s players can start entering on Friday. According to the NCAA, an athlete who transfers after enrolling at a school cannot transfer during that same year and compete for a new school. Grad students could transfer if they don’t play in any games this fall and be eligible in the spring.

At his press conference on Thursday, Larrañaga cited name, image, and likeness as part of the reason for his retirement.

“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 because my conversations were ridiculous with an agent saying to me, ‘Well, you can get involved (with a prospective player) if you’re willing to go to $1.1 million’, and that would be the norm,” Larrañaga said.