Rick Pitino says Miami Hurricanes Head Coach Jim Larranaga is clean

Pitino and Larranaga have a couple of connections. Pitino led Larranaga’s Alma Mater Providence to the Final Four in 1987. He also has a couple of residences in South Florida. He sold one in February in Bal Harbour and the other is on the market.

Larranaga has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of improprieties in his program to Deadspin last fall.

"“I cannot state more emphatically that I absolutely have no knowledge of any wrongdoing by any member of our staff and I certainly have never engaged in the conduct that some have speculated about."

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It appears from Augustine being cleared and the Little’s signing the affidavit claiming that they were not offered any money from the University of Miami that the Hurricanes should be cleared as well.

The reality is that the mere mention of Miami has hurt the Hurricanes recruiting class. Miami does not have any players signed or verbally committed for 2018.

Because this is an investigation by the FBI and not the NCAA it will likely take years to clear up. The FBI also does not clear someone’s name that has been implicated. They will only indict those that they have enough evidence or discovery against. Pitino is aware of the length of the investigation.

"“FBI has told us not to investigate until their case is closed. So, that’s just the way it is. … It’s going to take years for all of this to shake out.”"

The reality is that Larranaga and his staff maybe with the help of coaches like Pitino and other peers are going to have to do their own work to clear their name. That could also take a year or two. They have to hope they are still going to be able to recruit in spite of that.

Next: Jim Larranaga and Miami Hurricanes are putting this season behind them

Their biggest target upcoming is local star, Vernon Carey Junior. He is the number two player in the nation in the Class of 2019 and the son of former Hurricanes football player Vernon Carey.