After taking over a program that had just finished 7-24 and missed the ACC tournament, Jai Lucas was named the 2026 Joe B. Hall National Coach of the Year on Thursday, an honor presented annually to the top first-time head coach in Division I men's basketball.
Year one. Statement made.
— Canes Men’s Basketball (@CanesHoops) April 2, 2026
The Joe B. Hall award is presented annually to the top first-time head coach in division I college basketball 🙌#Relentless x #GoCanes pic.twitter.com/3v1b3xlmLd
Jai Lucas wins the Joe B. Hall Award after Miami's massive turnaround
The Joe B. Hall Award is named for the longtime Kentucky coach who followed Adolph Rupp and won the SEC in his first season. The award specifically recognizes the top first-time head coach in Division I, which made Lucas a natural fit after the way he flipped Miami around in just one year.
Lucas led Miami to a 26-9 record, a 13-5 mark in ACC play and the No. 3 seed in the ACC tournament. The Hurricanes' 19-win improvement from the previous season tied the NCAA record for the biggest one-year turnaround and Miami also reached the NCAA tournament for the 13th time in program history.
The Hurricanes tied the program record with 24 regular-season wins and went 15-2 at home, which was the second-most home victories in school history. Lucas also became the fastest first-time head coach in the ACC to reach 20 wins since North Carolina's Bill Guthridge in 1997-98.
Three Hurricanes earned All-ACC honors, with Malik Reneau making the first team, Tre Donaldson earning second-team recognition and Ernest Udeh Jr. landing on the ACC All-Defensive Team.
Lucas was hired in March 2025 and arrived with a reputation as one of the sport's best recruiters. The Canes, despite making the Final Four in 2023, were not in a good place. But, Miami went from the bottom of the ACC to the NCAA tournament in a single season. And now Lucas will try to continue to grow the Miami basketball program in his second year.