Former Miami basketball coach Jim Larrañaga left ‘exhausted’ by NIL’s impact on college sports
Earlier this week, Miami men’s basketball coach Jim Larrañaga became the latest leader of a major college program to resign. Tony Bennett resigned from his position at Virginia before the regular season ended.
Despite being the most successful head coach in the history of the program, Larrañaga abruptly ended his 14th season in Miami, at least for the sake of name, image and likeness (NIL) in college sports.
During a press conference announcing his retirement on December 26, Larrañaga, 75, said he was against the transfer portal and the NIL left him “exhausted.”
CLICK HERE TO WATCH ONE OF THE GAMES ON FOXNEWS.COM
Miami head coach Jim Larrañaga speaks to the media, announcing his retirement at the Watsco Center on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, in Coral Gables, Fla. (DA Varela/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
“At the moment, after 53 years, I did not feel … I could navigate successfully in this new world that I was facing,” Larrañaga told reporters, referring to the NIL.
HOW NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS LAWS HAVE CHANGED COLLEGE SPORTS
“There is one thing you should always ask yourself: Are you going to give everything you have, the right commitment, 100% of you, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually?” Larrañaga added. “And, obviously, I’ve tried to do that all my life and all my time here, but I’m tired.”
Head coach Jim Larrañaga of the Miami Hurricanes during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden Dec. 10, 2024, New York City. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Although less than two years have passed since Larrañaga coached the Hurricanes to the Final Four, Miami had a 4-8 record when he decided to call it quits. Miami finished the 2023-24 season with a 15-17 record.
Assistant Bill Courtney was named to take over the head coaching job on an interim basis.
The Watsco Center on the campus of the University of Miami Oct. 30, 2024, in Coral Gables, Fla. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE FOR THE NEWS PROGRAM
Under Larrañaga, Miami won the NCAA tournament six times, advancing to the Sweet 16 four times. The Hurricanes also advanced to the program’s first-ever Elite Eight in 2022 and the Final Four in 2023.
Miami won the ACC tournament title in 2013.
Before taking the Miami job, Larrañaga spent 14 seasons at George Mason. He led a shockingly mediocre program to the Final Four in 2006.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on Xand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle.
