He left to become a Player-Coach in Belgium for one season in 1977. From there, Jim became the Head Coach at American International College for two seasons. Larranaga then reunited with Holland to join his staff at Virginia. Larranaga spent seven seasons in Charlottesville before leaving for Bowling Green.
Jim was on Holland’s staff when Ralph Sampson became the only three-time basketball national Player of the Year. That’s a record that is almost guaranteed to never be matched.
He was on the staff when the Cavaliers earned trips to the 1981 Final Four, 1982 Sweet 16 and 1983 Elite Eight. They were a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament from ’81-’83.
Busting Brackets
Like Football with the Richts, Jay spoke to the Irish Times in 2009 about basketball being the family business.
"“It’s like the family business. Some families grow up on a farm. Their grandfather farmed, their father farmed so they farmed. I grew up around basketball. It’s what I know. I don’t know a lot of other things. My father and mother have been the biggest influence on my life. “A lot of what I know about basketball on and off the court is stuff I’ve learnt from him. We’ve still got a close relationship.”"
Although Jim’s youngest say Jon works in the insurance industry the coaching bug has even bit him.
He is coaching his seven and nine-year-old sons’ teams. Because of Jim and Jay’s busy schedules, the Larranagas are rarely together during holidays.
Father’s day is no different. Jim is recruiting and running his summer camps for the Miami basketball program. Jay just concluded the Head Coaching interviews.
They still make time to talk. Jim recently spoke to the Miami Herald about their bond over basketball.
"“I call Jay after every Celtics win, and I don’t say anything after a loss…We exchange ideas about basketball. I’ll ask him, `What’d you think of our zone?’ I’ll ask him questions as it relates to my team. We’ve always bonded over basketball.”"