Miami head basketball coach Jim Larranaga shocked the college basketball world the day after Christmas when he announced his immediate resignation.
“Coach L”, as he is affectionately called, came to Miami from George Mason in 2011. Miami was at the bottom of the ACC barrel upon his arrival. He quickly transformed the Canes from doormat to conference champions in 2013. Since his arrival, “Coach L” has taken his teams to six NCAA tournaments, including a Final Four appearance in 2023. His record at Miami is 274-174. In 40 years as a college head coach, Larranga has a 744–505 (.596) record. Coach L made six NCAA tournament appearances, advancing to the Sweet 16 four times. He was named the ACC Coach of the Year twice in 2013 and 2016. In 2023, he was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
At his press conference, “Coach L” gave us another deep look into the man who guided Miami’s program for fourteen years.
"The first thing I want to do is just thank a host of people. And the first is to explain to everybody the University of Miami, I love it. And I want it to be as successful as it can possibly be. Not just in basketball, but in everything. I feel like my wife and I were blessed to have the opportunity to come here and work with such great people and such a great community, the Coral Gables community, and such an elite institution.”
“But without those folks, we wouldn't have the basketball program that I've had the joy and pleasure of representing. It's been an honor to be the head basketball coach at the University of Miami. I've loved every minute of it. I can't thank the coaches that are with me now who's worked so diligently these last several years and all my all my former coaches and former players who help create the the environment that we have and the legacy that I'm leaving behind.”
Miami director of athletics Dan Radakovich echoed how the Miami community feels about "Coach L."
"Jim has been a great asset to our Department of Athletics and a great partner to me and to my predecessors," Radakovich said at the press conference. "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."
Coach L” is simply a walking legend as Miami’s greatest basketball coach and teacher.
We will examine the WHY of “Coach L's” decision to step down in part two of “COACH… THE LIVING LEGEND.”
GO CANES!
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