Can Miami end their road misery against Orlando?

In Coral Gables, Florida, Jim Larrañaga officially stepped down from his role as the head coach for Miami's men's basketball team on December 26, 2024. This decision comes amid a disappointing season for the Hurricanes, who currently hold a 4-8 record, reflecting a severe decline with only five wins out of their last 24 games. This sudden departure marks the end of Larrañaga's impactful 14-year tenure with the Hurricanes, a period that included a historic run to the Final Four in 2023 and prior success with George Mason in 2006. Larrañaga's resignation was announced by an anonymous source familiar with the situation, as the university had not yet made an official statement. The resigning coach had initially been contracted through 2027, indicating that the decision to leave was not taken lightly. Over recent weeks, there had been attempts by school officials to persuade him to stay, highlighting the complexities surrounding his departure. Setbacks caused by injuries and a rotating roster have visibly impacted team performance, contributing to Larrañaga's frustration. He is among several coaches voicing concerns regarding the new landscape of college sports, particularly the influence of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulations. The Miami Hurricanes' men's basketball program is not alone in facing changes; this season has seen other prominent coaches within the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) depart unexpectedly. Notable examples include Roy Williams of North Carolina in 2021 and Mike Krzyzewski of Duke in 2022. Larrañaga’s exit adds to the list of coaching shifts that have reshaped the conference's landscape recently. His departure follows the surprising resignation of the women's basketball coach, Katie Meier, who stepped down after a long-term commitment to her team. As Miami's basketball team looks to adjust to this new reality, the pressing question for the school will be who will step in to fill the gap left by Larrañaga. Following his 41-year coaching career, where he amassed a total of 744 wins, Larrañaga leaves behind a legacy of success, aspiring players turned professionals, and significant contributions to college basketball. His tenure symbolizes both triumph and the mounting challenges faced by coaches in the evolving era of college sports, emphasizing the need for long-term strategies to navigate this new field.