Jim Larranaga opens up on his confidence at Miami over the past three years

The Miami Hurricanes are set to take on the Iowa State Cyclones in the Sweet 16 on Friday night. The winner of that game will advance to the Elite Eight with a chance to win the Midwest Region of the NCAA Tournament. For Miami head coach Jim Larranaga, it has been a long journey getting his Hurricanes program back to this point.

After the 2017-2018 season, Miami had made the NCAA Tournament in three consecutive years, finishing as the NIT runner-up the year prior. In the 2015-2016 season, Larranaga led Miami to the Sweet 16. But since the 2017-2018 season, Miami has struggled. The Hurricanes have not made the postseason in two consecutive years, and that’s not including the 2019-2020 season where Miami was 15-16 before the rest of the season was canceled.

Now, Larranaga is looking to continue Miami’s recent success. Making it to where Miami has is no easy feat, especially playing in the ACC.

“Let’s say this is my highest level of confidence. And this is my lowest level of confidence,” Larranaga said. “You can’t see how low my hand has gotten. College basketball was difficult. To build a program is extremely hard. To do it in the ACC — in my mind, the best basketball conference in America, traditionally — it’s even harder.

“Think about the programs and the coaches in the ACC. You are talking about the winningest coach in college basketball history. A few years ago we had four Hall of Fame coaches coaching all at the same time. This is a challenging job. What makes it so special, what has made it possible for the University of Miami to be where we are today is these guys.”

Larranaga admitted that it has been difficult over the past couple of years for Miami, but the Hurricanes have gotten to where they are thanks to some players coming together as part of the program.

“A Sam Waardenburg who is from New Zealand. A Kam McGusty who had to transfer out of a situation and come to Miami not knowing what it would be like for him,” said Larranaga. “Or Charlie Moore to come from his journey to ours.

“So, no, it’s very, very difficult. And did I have confidence we could do it? The only confidence I had is I have a great staff. I have great people who advise me, counsel me, help me.”

Larranaga praises Miami’s staff

When it comes to Miami’s turnaround this season, Larranaga gives all of the credit to the other coaches on his staff. He believes that his staff is filled with quality coaches that can connect with his players, and that has made a tremendous difference.

“When I say, during last summer we came up with a new offense and new defense, not my idea. It’s an accumulation of ideas that come from all of our experiences. Chris Caputo, my associate head coach, does an amazing job,” added Larranaga. “Should be a head coach. He’s got all the experience in the world to run his own program. Bill Courtney, who’s had six years of head-coaching experience. Those guys are my brain trust, and they work with the players. As much as the players feel about me, if you ask them about my staff they would tell you the same thing. They love those guys.

“My most vivid picture is when we won the ACC championship in 2013, and Shane Larkin, who was a Second Team All-American ACC Player of the Year, the moment we won the game, he ran over to our bench and hugged Chris Caputo. That’s the kind of relationship my staff has with the players. And that’s going to continue because I’ve got great coaches and a great group of kids.”

Miami and Iowa State tip off at approximately 9:59 p.m. ET on Friday night.