Jai Lucas, the associate head coach at Duke, is in the spotlight as Miami seeks a new head coach, according to sources. While talks are ongoing, no deal is finalized. The search is expected to conclude soon, around the end of the regular season.
As Miami prepares to face Duke in Coral Gables, things remain uncertain. The job hasn’t been officially offered yet, and immediate decisions are not anticipated.
After Duke’s recent victory over Illinois, coach Jon Scheyer spoke highly of Lucas. He emphasized that Lucas is destined to be a head coach and praised his contributions to the Blue Devils. “The job he’s done for us has been incredible,” Scheyer remarked.
At just 36 years old, Lucas has built a strong reputation as one of the top assistant coaches in the nation. Before joining Duke in 2022, he worked at Texas and Kentucky, where he made a significant impact. He became Duke’s associate head coach in 2023 and oversees the team’s defense, which ranks high nationally in efficiency and has consistently performed well under his guidance.
Miami is on the lookout for a new leader following Jim Larranaga’s resignation after 14 seasons. Larranaga led the team to impressive achievements, including a Final Four appearance in 2023 and two ACC regular-season titles. However, this season has been challenging for the Hurricanes, who sit at the bottom of the ACC with a record of 6-20, including 2-13 in conference play.
Lucas shines not only in coaching but also in recruiting. His success has attracted top talent to Texas and Kentucky. At Duke, he continues to play a key role in securing strong recruiting classes, including the highly regarded Boozer twins for 2025. Duke’s recruiting efforts have consistently ranked among the best nationally.
Additionally, Lucas has basketball in his blood. He is the son of John Lucas II, a former All-American and first overall NBA draft pick, known for his long coaching career in the NBA. This background adds to Lucas’s credibility and potential in the coaching world.
