Jai Lucas, currently the associate head coach at Duke, is poised to take over as the head coach at the University of Miami, with negotiations between him and the school in progress. According to sources familiar with the matter, the contract is expected to be finalized soon, although no details have been publicly confirmed yet. The move is contingent on finalizing these terms, including when Lucas will depart Duke to begin his new role at Miami.
Miami Hopes to Finalize Lucas’s Move Quickly to Begin Roster Rebuilding Efforts
The timing of Lucas’s transition from Duke to Miami is a key aspect of the ongoing negotiations. Duke, currently a strong contender for the NCAA Tournament, could play well into April, depending on their tournament run. With Miami’s regular season-ending March 8 and no postseason hopes, the Hurricanes are hoping to have a new coach in place by the time the transfer portal opens on March 24. This would allow Lucas to start rebuilding the Miami roster for the upcoming season.
Jai Lucas Nears Deal to Become Miami Head Coach, Aiming to Revive Struggling ProgramMiami has had a difficult season, marked by a 6-21 overall record and a 2-14 record in the ACC. These struggles have led to the departure of long-time coach Jim Larrañaga in December. Bill Courtney, a longtime Miami associate head coach, has stepped in as the interim coach. While Miami made a run to the Final Four just two years ago, their recent performance has been underwhelming, and the team hopes that Lucas can lead them back to prominence.
Jai Lucas a Top Recruiter and Defensive Expert Poised to Revive Miami Program
At Duke, Lucas has made significant contributions over the past three years, particularly as the defensive coordinator and a top recruiter. His ability to recruit talent has been especially noteworthy, as he was instrumental in landing highly coveted recruits like the Boozer twins, who had strong ties to Miami. Duke head coach Jon Scheyer spoke highly of Lucas, describing him as an exceptional coach with the potential to succeed as a head coach, further underscoring his readiness for the Miami role.
Lucas, 36, brings a wealth of experience to his new position. A former college player for Florida and Texas, Lucas transitioned to coaching, working at Kentucky and Texas before joining Duke. He has been recognized for his expertise in recruiting and his work in player development. His coaching journey has been shaped by his father, former NBA coach John Lucas, and his time coaching under some of the best in the business, making him well-equipped to take on the challenge of reviving Miami’s basketball program.
