Miami Hurricanes Hire Jai Lucas as New Head Coach

The Miami Hurricanes have finalized an agreement to bring in Jai Lucas as their new men’s basketball head coach, marking a significant shift for the program after a turbulent season. Lucas, who previously served as Duke’s associate head coach, officially takes over the Hurricanes’ struggling team following a disastrous 2024-25 season in which Miami posted a 6-24 overall record and finished 2-17 in ACC play.

Lucas’ Coaching Background and Recruiting Success

Jai Lucas brings an impressive résumé to Miami, having been a key figure in Duke’s coaching staff over the past three seasons. His defensive schemes helped Duke rank among the top 30 teams nationally in points allowed, field goal percentage defense, and three-point percentage defense. Additionally, Lucas was instrumental in recruiting top talent, including Cameron and Cayden Boozer, the highly touted twin sons of former NBA star Carlos Boozer.

Before his time at Duke, Lucas spent two seasons at Kentucky as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. His recruiting prowess was evident, as he helped secure commitments from multiple McDonald’s All-Americans and top-ranked prospects. Lucas also had a seven-year coaching stint at Texas, his alma mater, where he played a pivotal role in developing NBA lottery picks such as Jarrett Allen, Mohamed Bamba, and Jaxson Hayes.

Challenges Ahead for Lucas at Miami

Lucas steps into a program that has fallen dramatically since reaching the Final Four in 2023. The Hurricanes started the 2023-24 season with promise, going 11-2, but have since plummeted to a 10-39 record over the last two seasons. The unexpected resignation of longtime head coach Jim Larrañaga in December 2024 created further instability, with interim coach Bill Courtney managing the remainder of the season. Lucas’ immediate focus will be rebuilding the roster, particularly with the NCAA transfer portal opening soon.

Another challenge for Lucas will be revitalizing Miami’s recruiting pipeline, especially after missing out on key local prospects in recent years. His experience at Duke and Kentucky, where he was known as a top recruiter, should be an asset in attracting high-level talent to Coral Gables.

Lucas will officially begin his tenure on Monday, following Duke’s regular-season finale against North Carolina. His hiring comes at a crucial time, as Miami aims to regain its footing in the ACC and return to national prominence.

Miami’s decision to hire Lucas signals a commitment to a fresh start with a coach who has proven recruiting and defensive expertise. However, turning the program around will be no easy task, given its recent struggles. With a strong background in player development and talent acquisition, Lucas has the tools to help Miami rebuild and compete in the ACC once again.