“Way to leave a legacy”: College basketball world pays tribute to Miami’s Jim Larranaga after final adieu

It's the end of an era for college basketball legend Jim Larranaga. The longtime Miami Hurricanes coach announced his sudden retirement on Thursday, ending his 14-year reign in Coral Gables. He cited the changing landscape of college sports as the reason for his exit, saying that he was "exhausted" dealing with the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) part of the game.

Miami Hurricanes coach Jim Larranaga looks on after the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Watsco Center. (Photo: Imagn)

Larranaga is the latest veteran coach to quit because of this reason. Tony Bennett shocked college basketball fans when he resigned as coach of the Virginia Cavaliers just before the 2024-25 NCAA season started, explaining that he wasn't suited to navigate the NIL era.

Jay Wright admitted in his retirement news conference two years ago that NIL played a small role in his decision to leave Villanova.

Larranaga rose to prominence at George Mason, leading the team to an unlikely Final Four run in the 2006 NCAA Tournament. He later moved to Miami and replicated that feat with the Hurricanes in 2023. He affected many lives during his illustrious coaching career, and the college basketball world paid tribute to him on X (formerly Twitter) following his retirement.

"Way to leave a legacy coach. So many people on here thanking you for how you touched their lives. That’s true success," one fan replied.

"Thanks for the memories, Coach. You brought the program back to a place a lot of us didn’t think we would see," one fan wrote.

"Thanks for the impact you had on Miami and all the young men who played for you. The best in UM history," one fan claimed.

Here are some other reactions.

"Thank you coach for making The U a basketball school. Best wishes for a happy, well deserved retirement," one fan wrote.

"Coach you are one of my all-time favorites. All about the right things. Impacted so many young men. God Bless!!" another fan shared.

"You’re the greatest & will be missed! Good Luck!" one fan posted.

Jim Larranaga leaves a lasting legacy in Miami

Jim Larranaga will always be remembered for the winning culture he brought to Miami. He led the Hurricanes to six NCAA Tournament appearances, including four Sweet Sixteen berths. He helped Miami reach the Elite Eight for the first time in 2022 before topping that accomplishment the following year with the program's first Final Four appearance.

Coach Jim Larranaga of the Miami Hurricanes speaks during media availability for the Final Four as part of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at NRG Stadium on March 30, 2023. (Photo: Getty)

Bill Courtney replaced Larranaga as Miami's coach and will assume that role for the remainder of the 2024-25 NCAA season. He will have his work cut out for him, with the Hurricanes starting the campaign with a 4-8 overall record. They have lost eight of their last nine games, including a 78-74 overtime defeat against Mount Saint Mary's on Saturday.