Jeff Borzello
Duke associate head coach Jai Lucas has been named the men’s basketball coach at Miami, the school announced Thursday.
A source told ESPN that Lucas is getting a five-year contract.
“We are excited to welcome Jai and his family to the Hurricane Family,” athletic director Dan Radakovich said in a statement. “Jai is an innovative coach, a relentless recruiter and proven talent developer whose knowledge and passion for the game resonated throughout the interview process. He has coached at some of college basketball’s most storied programs under tremendous head coaches.
“It is clear that Jai understands what it takes to compete on and off the floor in this new era of college basketball and he sees the great potential at Miami. We are fortunate to have Jai join us in Coral Gables.”
Lucas will be introduced at a news conference Monday. He said he was “incredibly grateful and honored” for the opportunity to coach the Hurricanes.
“Miami has everything you need to compete at the highest level — elite academics, a passionate fan base, and a commitment to excellence in athletics,” Lucas said in a statement. “Beyond that, the city of Miami has a rich culture and energy that makes this an incredibly special place. The history, diversity, and passion for sports here are second to none. I look forward to building on an incredible foundation and leading this program into an exciting new era.”
Lucas, 36, has played a key role in building Duke’s 27-3 team. He helped coach Jon Scheyer land the nation’s top recruiting class in 2024, led by No. 1 recruit Cooper Flagg, and 2025, headlined by Cameron Boozer and twin brother Cayden Boozer.
He has also helped architect one of the country’s top defenses, with Duke ranking in the top five in adjusted defensive efficiency and 2-point field goal percentage defense.
Scheyer hired Lucas in 2022 after two seasons at Kentucky and four seasons at Texas. Lucas is the son of former Maryland All-American and No. 1 NBA draft pick John Lucas II, also a longtime NBA coach and assistant.
“Absolutely he’s a head coach, no question about it,” Scheyer said of Lucas last month. “It’s part of why I hired him. The job he’s done for us has been incredible. … I can tell you, 100%, Jai is an amazing coach. He’s been great for these guys. We’ll continue to move forward together and figure all that out. But he’s terrific, man. All across the board, he’s great.”
Lucas is replacing Jim Larrañaga, 75, who stepped down in December in the midst of his 14th season with the Hurricanes. He led Miami to six NCAA tournaments and four Sweet 16 appearances, including a Final Four run in 2023.
The Hurricanes went 11-6 in NCAA tournament games under Larrañaga, winning two ACC regular-season championships.
