Miami men's basketball coach Jim Larranaga to step down

Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Longtime University of Miami men's basketball coach Jim Larranaga will step down amid his 14th season with the Hurricanes, he announced Thursday.

Larranaga, 75, was under contract through 2026-27. The Hurricanes appointed assistant Bill Courtney to serve as interim coach for the remainder of the season.

Miami athletic director Dan Radakovich told reporters that Larranaga informed the school Sunday that he planned to step down. He was then asked to reconsider the decision, which was finalized Monday.

"After more than 50 years in college coaching, it is simply time," Larranaga 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 Hurricanes (4-8) started their 2024-25 campaign with three consecutive victories. They then lost eight of their next nine games, including a 78-74 overtime setback to Mount St. Mary's on Saturday in Coral Gables, Fla.

Larranaga's departure comes just two seasons after he led the Hurricanes to their first Final Four in school history at the 2023 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.

The 2013 Naismith College Coach of the Year led the Hurricanes to a 274-174 record over the last 14 seasons.

Larranaga, who previously coached at Bowling Green and George Mason, owns an overall record of 716-483 over his 39-year Division I coaching career. He went 16-11 in NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament appearances, including a 2006 run to the Final Four with 11th-seeded George Mason.

Larranaga led Division II American International University to a 28-25 mark from 1977 to 1979. He also worked as an assistant at Davidson and Virginia.