Earlier this week, Miami men’s basketball Coach Jim Larrañaga resigned as the youngest head of a major college program. Tony Bennett resigned from his position at Virginia before the regular season ended.
Despite being the winningest head coach in program history, Larrañaga abruptly ended his 14th season in Miami, at least in part due to Name, image and likeness (NIL) in university sports.
During a Dec. 26 press conference announcing his retirement, the 75-year-old Larrañaga said dealing with the transfer portal and NIL left him “exhausted.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Miami head coach Jim Larrañaga speaks to the media and announces his retirement at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida, on Thursday, December 26, 2024. (DA Varela/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
“At that point, after 53 years, I just didn’t feel like… I could successfully navigate this whole new world that I was dealing with,” Larrañaga told reporters, referring to NIL.
How name, image and likeness laws have changed college sports
“One thing you have to constantly ask yourself: Are you going to give everything you have, the effort it deserves, 100% of yourself, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually?” Larrañaga added. “And honestly, I’ve been trying to do this my whole life and my entire time here, but I’m exhausted.”
Head coach Jim Larrañaga of the Miami Hurricanes during a game against the Tennessee Volunteers in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 10, 2024 in New York City. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Although less than two years have passed since Larrañaga coached the Hurricanes Final fourMiami had a 4-8 record when he decided to quit. Miami finished the 2023-24 season with a record of 15-17.
assistant Bill Courtney was won to take over the head coach position on an interim basis.
The Watsco Center on the University of Miami campus on October 30, 2024 in Coral Gables, Florida. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Under Larrañaga, Miami qualified for the NCAA Tournament six times and reached the Sweet 16 four times. The Hurricanes also reached the program’s first 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 the mid-major program to a shocking Final Four appearance in 2006.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage of Xand subscribe the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
