“I’m exhausted”: Jim Larranaga seemingly blames NIL structure for stepping down as Miami head coach

Jim Larranaga is a coach who garnered plenty of success throughout his career, whether it be at Bowling Green, George Mason or Miami. However, the controversial issue of how NIL has changed college sports has exhausted him to the point that he is stepping down as the head coach of the Hurricanes.

Larranaga made his decision official on Tuesday, handing the reins over after 13 years with the program. He led them to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Final Four run in 2023.

"I'm exhausted. I've tried every which way to keep this going," Larranaga said. "What shocked me, beyond belief, was after we made it to the Final Four just 18 months ago. The very first time I met with the players, eight of them decided they were going to put their name in the portal and leave."

NIL has meant that some players are leaving teams where they were successful, in favor of places that could give them more money. This aspect ultimately led to Larranaga stepping down. The veteran coach said:

"I said (to the players), 'Don't you like it here?' 'No, I love it. I love Miami. It's great.' But the opportunity to make money some place else created a situation that you have to begin to ask yourself as a coach, 'What is this all about?'"

Bill Courtney replaces Jim Larranaga as Miami's interim coach

Dec 7, 2024; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Jim Larranaga talks to his players during a timeline against the Clemson Tigers- Source: Imagn

Following Larranaga's resignation, the Hurricanes announced that Bill Courtney would take over as the interim head coach. Courtney joined the program in 2019 as an assistant coach and Larranaga promoted him to associate head coach in May 2022.

Courtney was Larranaga's assistant at Bowling Green and George Mason from 1996 to 2005. From 2010 to 2016, he served as Cornell's head coach, compiling a 60-113 record after six seasons.

Courtney will look to set the ship on the right track as Miami currently 4-8 on the season prepare for their first game without Jim Larranaga, on the road against Boston College on Wednesday.