Jai Lucas is set to take the next big step in his coaching career. The 36-year-old has been announced as the new head coach of the Miami Hurricanes, replacing longtime coach Jim Larrañaga. Lucas, who has built a strong reputation as one of the best recruiters in college basketball, will now take charge of an ACC program looking to reestablish itself among the conference’s elite.

Lucas’s journey to this moment has been defined by steady progression and invaluable experience at some of the nation’s top programs. After starting his coaching career as an assistant at Texas, he moved to Kentucky in 2020, joining John Calipari’s staff. Two years later, he joined Jon Scheyer’s staff at Duke, playing a pivotal role in shaping the Blue Devils into one of the nation’s most formidable teams. Now, Lucas is ready to take on the challenge of leading a program of his own.

A Rising Star in the Coaching Ranks

Lucas’s path to this opportunity has been shaped by his strong recruiting abilities and his basketball pedigree. As a former player at Florida and Texas, Lucas understands the intricacies of high-level college basketball. His early coaching career at Texas under Shaka Smart provided him with valuable experience, which he then carried over to Kentucky and Duke.

At Kentucky, Lucas quickly became known as an elite recruiter, helping to bring in top-tier talent. That success carried over to Duke, where he was instrumental in securing commitments from highly coveted recruits, including Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and the Boozer twins. His ability to connect with young players and build relationships made him a sought-after coaching prospect, ultimately leading Miami to tap him as their next head coach.

Lucas takes over the Miami program following the departure of Jim Larrañaga, who stepped down in December after 13.5 years at the helm. Larrañaga transformed the Hurricanes into a consistent force in the ACC, leading them to six NCAA tournament appearances, four Sweet 16 runs, and a historic Final Four appearance in 2023.

However, the changing landscape of college basketball, particularly the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, played a role in Larrañaga’s decision to retire. Miami has been a significant player in NIL across various sports and is now looking to take full advantage of those opportunities in men’s basketball, with Lucas leading the way.

A Unique Transition Amid March Madness

Lucas’s move to Miami comes at a critical time. The Hurricanes’ season will conclude on March 8, and the transfer portal opens on March 24. Meanwhile, Duke is expected to make a deep NCAA Tournament run, possibly into early April. The timing is less than ideal, but both Duke and Miami recognize the necessity of having a new head coach in place before the portal opens to begin shaping the roster for next season.