Miami Hurricanes Basketball Overhaul: Jai Lucas’ Blueprint for Success ... "Expectation Coming In Is I'd Need To Get 13 New Players"

Jai Lucas is now the future as the new face of the Miami Hurricanes basketball program, and the 36-year-old who has made a name for himself as a top national recruiter and assistant coach is quite a difference from his predecessor, Jim Larranaga. The 75-year-old Larranaga coached 14 years at Miami, leading the team to its first-ever Final Four, before stepping down during the season.

“I’ve dreamed of this moment my whole life, and this is exactly what it looks like,” Lucas said to start his introductory press conference on Monday morning. “This is an opportunity and a dream come true.”

Larranaga also attended today’s press conference.

“I appreciate you coming,” Lucas said, addressing coach L. “Can we give him a round of applause? I appreciate everything you’ve done the last 14 years. I plan to build on the strong foundation you left behind.

“There was no basketball tradition before he got here. He’s put (Miami) in a position where it’s ready to take the next step in this new era, next generation of college basketball. I’m happy to come in somewhere and have a strong foundation.”

Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich gave Lucas his blessing today, saying that “Jai is an innovative coach. Jai understands what it takes to compete on and off the court. He sees great potential at the University of Miami. He is ready to hit the ground running.”

The challenge ahead:

With the page on the Larranaga era fully turned, Lucas’ task now is a big one considering the Canes finished in last place in the ACC and don’t have much talent set to return.

“I got the opportunity to meet with the team last night,” Lucas said. “I gave them my support with whatever they wanted to do. I wanted to let them know we are here to support them in any way. … It’s a different time where they feel they are making the best decision for themselves. For me it’ shaving conversations over the next two weeks and seeing where they fall.

“It’s going to be a big overhaul. My expectation coming in is I’d need to get 13 new players, because that’s the way it is now.”

Lucas also said that “My whole life has prepared me for this moment.”

Lucas said his program will be based on three cornerstones: “Relationships,” “development” and “competition.”

“Get them to understand we are better together,” he said. “I am here for (players) always throughout life. … You have to be open to change, feedback; you need to control the controllables, dominate the details.

“There is a process to winning, we will not cheat the process. We value winning.”

Saying a roster overhaul is needed might be putting it mildly, since a nuclear reboot from the bottom up might be a better way to phrase it. Lucas declined to say if there are particular players he’ll keep on the roster, saying he’ll explain his vision to players and see if it’s a fit on both ends.

“I can promise you one thing, we will be relentless,” the former Duke assistant said. “I’m a defensive guy, believe that wins championships and that’s what we’ll hang our hats on. (On offense) we’ll be relentless hunting for the best shot every possession.”

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Lucas also is putting together his staff. But that’s a conversation for another day.

“It’s a weird time because most people are still playing,” Lucas said. “I’ve been in communication with people, really want to take my time, get my staff right. Talking to a bunch of people throughout the country (at all levels).”

What he also did indicate is that the Miami administration has put the money and pieces in place needed, saying they “showed the investment they have in winning.”

“Everything I wanted for the program aligned with (what they said),” Lucas said, adding that he’s “more accustomed” to dealing with NIL and modern college basketball than perhaps some others out there.

“At the end of the day they (players) want to develop and chase their dreams,” he said. “We were able to keep players at Duke, had some experience of dealing with that. Those experiences will help me.”

Roster rebuild coming

Certainly Lucas will be active in the portal window that opens March 24, and he will have to put his recruiting prowess to work to build the program for the future as well.

Rumors are the Boozer twins might consider a transfer to Miami after Lucas lured them to Duke.

Asked if he’ll try to flip Duke commits, Lucas said, ‘I can’t speak on anybody who is signed, committed anywhere.”

He added that “You always want to keep the best players home, so that’s what we’ll try to do.”

In recruiting, Lucas said he wants to “lock down the state.”

“Florida has the best talent coming out these next couple of years, so it’s building those relationships, getting them to understand the value of staying home, coming to Miami,” he said.

Lucas also said “It was extremely hard” to leave the Blue Devils.

“This year we finally had a team that can win it all, (I) recruited those kids,” he said.

As for Lucas’ resume? Well, this is his first college head coaching job, and in his role at Duke he helped develop the backcourt and served as defensive coordinator – he had been with the program since May, 2022. He helped the Blue Devils’ 2023 recruiting class rank second, while the 2024 class was first in the nation and 2025 was second.

Prior to Duke, Lucas was on staff at Kentucky for two seasons, joining the Wildcats as recruiting coordinator in August 2020 before a promotion to assistant coach/recruiting coordinator for the 2020-21 season. In two seasons with UK, he helped the program sign five players who played in either the McDonald’s All-American or Jordan Brand Classic games.

Lucas began his coaching career at his alma mater, Texas, where he spent seven seasons on staff. The Houston native began as a special assistant with the program from 2013-15 before serving as director of basketball operations in the 2015-16 season. He was promoted to assistant coach in June of 2016 and in his first year helped the Longhorns win 20 games and earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

In his first two recruiting cycles as an assistant coach there, Lucas helped the Longhorns ink two top-10 ranked signing classes.

As a player, Lucas spent three seasons in the professional ranks, including one in Latvia with BK Valmiera of the Baltic Basketball League (2011-12) and two in the NBA Development League with the Idaho Stampede (2012-13) and Canton Charge (2013). He appeared in 58 games with one start during a two-year career at Texas, helping the Longhorns earn back-to-back NCAA Tournament bids. Lucas played at University of Florida for his freshman season in 2007-08 and was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.

Lucas was a McDonald’s All-American, a Jordan Brand Classic selection and a Parade All-America Second Team honoree as a senior at Bellaire High School in Houston. He started for three seasons and was a three-time District Player of the Year while leading Bellaire to three consecutive district titles.

“From a player standpoint I was a high recruit, McDonald’s All-American, I was a transfer, started 30 games, came off the bench, had games I didn’t play,” Lucas said. “That (relatability) helps. As a coach I like to think I didn’t skip any steps. … Through these experiences I know I’m prepared.”

Now he wants his next achievement to be helping the Canes win games.

“Not only will the team be relentless, but I will be relentless,” Lucas said. “I understand this opportunity. I will give everything I have, I can promise you that.”