Jim Larranaga steps down as University of Miami basketball coach
CORAL GABLES - Jim Larranaga, who led the University of Miami's men's basketball team to its first Final Four in the school history in 2023, stepped down as head coach Thursday after 14 years.
Larranaga, who turned 75 in October, will be replaced immediately by his long-time associate head coach Bill Courtney, 54, for the remainder of the season. The university will "commence a national search for the next leader of Hurricanes men's basketball as part of its continued commitment to competing at the highest level in all of its programs," according to a release.
The Hurricanes next play at Boston College on New Year's Day.
The decision to stop coaching
Larranaga said he made the decision after Saturday's 78-74 overtime loss to Maryland Mount St. Mary's at home, and didn't change his mind despite swaying by university officials.
"I'm exhausted," Larranaga said. "I've tried every which way to keep this going."
He appeared at a news conference Thursday afternoon with Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich.
"After more than 50 years in college coaching, it is simply time," Larrañaga said in a news release. "There is never a great moment to step away, but I owe it to our student-athletes, our staff and the University of Miami to make this move now when my heart is simply no longer in the game and I owe it to Liz, Jay, Jon and my grandchildren to be a greater part of their lives.
"The University needs a new leader of the program, one who is both adept at and embracing of the new world of intercollegiate athletics. It has been the honor of a lifetime to be a part of the Hurricane Family and to represent this world-class institution. Most importantly, I have been so blessed to have coached the hundreds of young men who chose to wear the UM jersey and who have gone on to flourish in their respective journeys. I will always be a Cane."
The university plans to offer a role with the school.
"I will always be a Cane," said Larranaga, who plans to stick around.
During the news conference Radakovich said "today is about celebrating the winningest coach in the history of Miami men's basketball."
"Jim has been a great asset to our Department of Athletics and a great partner to me and to my predecessors," Radakovich said in a statement. "I know that he did not reach this decision lightly or without great reflection. We are so grateful for his many contributions to Miami Athletics over the years and for being such an outstanding ambassador for the University of Miami.
The Hurricanes are 4-8 this season after an overtime loss to Mount St. Mary's last week and have lost 18 of their past 22 games dating to last season.
Miami ended the 2023 season with a 10-game losing skid.
Who is Jim Larranaga?
Larranaga was under contract through the 2026-27 season with Miami.
He came from George Mason where he also coached for 14 years and led the Virginia public school to the Final Four in 2006.
Larranaga currently ranks No. 6 on the NCAA's list of winningest active Division 1 coaches with a 744-505 record over 41 years.
Since arriving at the Coral Gables campus in 2011, he has compiled 274-174 record.
He had head coaching steps at American International (1977-79), Bowling Green (1986-1997), George Mason (1997-2011).
Larranaga has been named the Associated Press, Naismith, USBWA and Henry Iba National Coach of the Year.
"It is hard to fully articulate just what Jim Larranaga has meant to the University of Miami," UM President Joe Echevarria said in a statement. "His contributions go well beyond the wins, the championships and the Final Four run in 2023. He has elevated our athletics program and increased the visibility of our institution by championing our educational mission. Perhaps most importantly, he has recruited tremendous young men to Coral Gables who earned their degrees and who impacted the community, and we are grateful for his service.
"As a University, we will honor his legacy by continuing to invest in our men's basketball program and by pursuing a new leader of our program who will take us to unprecedented heights. With a world-class institution, incredible fans and a commitment to championships, I am confident in what comes next."
He played basketball at Providence and selected in the sixth round of the 1971 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons. He left the Pistons' rookie camp to take a coaching position at Davidson College.
Who is Bill Courtney?
Courtney is in his sixth season at Miami, including his third as associate head coach. He has been involved in coaching, scouting, recruiting and player development.
He was an assistant under Larranaga at George Mason from 1997-2005).
Courtmey has been an assistant coach at DePaul (2017-19), head coach at Cornell (2010-16), assistant at Virginia Tech (2009-10), Virginia (2006-09), Providence (2005-06), George Mason (1997-2005), Bowling Green (1996-97) and American (1995-96).
"Bill Courtney has been by Jim's side during some of our most successful seasons and plays a significant role in our program, both on the court and off," Vice President and Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich said. "Elevating Bill to Interim Head Coach for the remainder of this season was an easy decision and will ensure a smooth transition for our student-athletes as we resume ACC play. I am confident that Bill and the rest of our coaching staff will rise to the occasion and lead us in the right direction."
Courtney earned First Team All-Patriot League accolades during his junior and senior seasons as a captain at Bucknell University, from which he graduated in 1992. He competed professionally for the Philadelphia Spirit of the United States Basketball League and for the Milwaukee Bucks' NBA Summer League team in 1992 before spending two years playing professional basketball in Hong Kong. He also played in the Philippines for one season.
Courtney has two sons, Billy and Derek.
The changing game
He lamented the transfer portal has caused him to lose players, including after the Final Four season.
"The opportunity to make money someplace else created a situation that you have to begin to ask yourself as a coach what is this all about," Larranaga said. "And the answer is it's become professional."
Other college basketball coaches have departed, including Virginia's Tony Bennett and Villanova's Jay Wright, citing the Name, Image and Likeness, or NIL, where players can make money while in school.
"It seems clear to me that coaching in 2024 is a much different profession than it was just a few short years ago," Radakovich said.
Other long-time coaches also have retired in recent years: North Carolina's Roy Williams in 2021, Duke's Mike Krzyzewski in 2022 and Syracuse's Jim Boeheimin 2023.
