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From the Sidelines to Social Media: Former Miami Hurricanes Coach Jim Larranaga Engages Fans with Coaching Scenarios

On3 imageby:Matt Shodell•04/06/25•

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Jim Larranaga ND
(Photo by Neil Gershman)

Basketball coach Jim Larranaga didn’t have many answers for his struggling Miami Hurricanes team this past season before stepping down midway through the year, and now coach L has plenty of questions for you, the fan, as the NCAA Tournament is on the verge of wrapping up.

The former Miami coach is staying engaged with fans and has been asking daily questions on social media during the tournament with “if you were the coach” Tweets.

Larranaga had a legendary coaching career, of course, including leading Miami to its first-ever run to the Final Four. Now it’s new coach Jai Lucas’ turn at the program, and Lucas is working hard to put together a new-look roster. So far he’s picked up a trio of key portal additions in Indiana’s Malik Reneau, Michigan’s Tre Donaldson and TCU’s Ernest Udeh, Jr. Stay tuned to CaneSport as we continue to break down different options and breaking news Miami hoops.

With the above in mind, let’s pivot to take a look at Larranaga’s most recent Tweets and the responses.

Note that Larranaga posted that “FYI. Each of the scenarios I’ve shared with you are things that have happened in my coaching career. The ABC options are either mine or choices friends of mine have chosen in similar situations. Coaches have to make these decisions every day/game.”

APRIL 5

“If you were the coach which option would you choose? You’re a major underdog in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and your last practice before you leave was just awful. What do you do? A. Blast your players for not being focused and then send them to the showers. B. Tell your players you plan on having more fun than any other head coach and want them to have fun too. Or C. take them to the locker room and lecture them on the importance of winning the first game.

We feel fairly certain on this one that Larranaga would do option “B,” and fans picked “B” most often with “A” also chosen.

April 4

“If you were the coach which option would you choose? You’re in the NCAA Tournament and you win late Sunday night and the next game is on Thursday. What do you do? A. Fly home after the game and return to campus about 3 am. B. Fly home on Monday morning and depart on Tuesday. Or C. fly directly to the site of the next game.”

The answers from fans were largely “C”.

April 3

“If you were the coach which option would you choose? You’re recruiting two very good local players who play in a local summer league. But it’s July, and you have to make a choice. You can either go to the Peach Jam or to Las Vegas for an adidas event or stay local. What do you do? A. Go to the high school summer league to watch the two local players. B. Go to Nike Peach Jam. Or C. go to Vegas where adidas has been.”

The answers from fans were largely “A”.

April 2

“If you were the coach which option would you choose? You’re in overtime. Your starting point guard has just fouled out with 2 minutes to go. Your backup point guard is out sick. What do you do? A. Put in your walkon point guard who was a decent high school player. B. Put your non-ball handling 2 guard at the point. Or C. have your ball handling 4 man bring the ball up and play the point himself.”

The answers from fans were split between “A” and “C”.

April 1

“If you were the coach which option would you choose? Your best player picks up his second foul with 12 minutes to go in the first half with the score tied. What do you do? A. Leave him in the game and hope he doesn’t’ pick up his third foul. B. Take him out and save him for the second half. Or C. take him out but if you fall behind bring him back in to finish the half.”

The answers from fans were largely “C”.

March 31

“If you were the coach which option would you choose? Your best shooter is in a shooting slump and hasn’t made a three in three weeks. What do you do? A. Call his father and ask his dad to come to practice to shoot with him afterward like they used to do in high school. B. Set up an appointment with a sports psychologist. Or C. assign one of your assistant coaches to shoot with him after practice.”

The answers from fans were a mix of “A,” “B,” and “C,” with C getting the most followed by B.

March 30

“If you were the coach which option would you choose? Here’s the scenario. One of your best players is a marginal student and he just sprained his ankle and is going to miss the next game. You have a road game on Wednesday and he’ll miss classes on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. What do you do? A. Bring him on the road so he can stay connected with his teammates. B. Leave him at home so he can attend classes and not miss any schoolwork. Or C. bring a tutor on the road, bring him with you and allow him to try to keep up with his schoolwork.”

The answers from fans was mixed among all three.

March 29

“If you were the coach which option would you choose? You believe you are going to have a very good team for next season and need to build your nonconference schedule that will allow you to get an at large bid to the NCAA if you don’t win your conference tournament. What do you do? A. Play all quad 1 and quad 2 teams. B. Play half quad 1 and half quad 4. Or C. play some quad 1s, 2s, 3s or 4s.

The answers from fans were tied between “B” and “C.”

Now here’s a question for Larranaga: Who is going to win the NCAA national title?

And, more importantly for Canes fans, will Miami be back in the Tournament next year?

Stay tuned.

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