During an interview with Miami play-by-play announcer Joe Zagacki, new Hurricanes head basketball coach Jai Lucas discussed his background and why he is the right fit. Lucas spent the last three seasons at Duke and has previously been on the staffs at Kentucky and Texas.
Zagacki referred to Lucas as a perfect fit for this era. Lucas answered the comment by discussing his experiences in recruiting with name, image and likeness during the transfer portal era. Duke and Kentucky were at the forefront in NIL and the transfer portal as discussed by Lucas.
Duke is second-ranked nationally and could rise to first when the polls come out on Monday after Auburn lost earlier this week. The additions of transfers Maliq Brown, Mason Gillis and Sion James have added experience for Duke this season and they have been key reserves for the 27-3 Blue Devils.
Duke freshman Cooper Flagg, who Lucas was the primary recruiter for has an NIL valuation of $4.8 million per On3. Miami guard Nijel Pack initially transferred from Kansas State for a reported NIL deal of $800,000. Former Miami head coach Jim Larranaga retired in part due to the proliferation of NIL.
"It's so much more that is involved with recruiting, with just the portal, with NIL everything moving forward and I've had the unique opportunity to be places that have been at the forefront of doing what is most suited for where it's headed. My work... at Duke but also at Kentucky we were kind of the first two schools to really jump into this nil era and...be very successful...My job is to bring my resources and everything that I've learned...and apply it to Miami and the best way that fits Miami but also fits me and my personality."New Miami head coach Jai Lucas
At 36 years old Lucas is part of the new generation of college basketball coaches that includes Scheyer. Lucas mentioned the changing of the guard in the ACC. Roy Williams at North Carolina, Mike Kryzyzewski at Duke, Tony Bennett at Virginia and Larranaga are all Final Four coaches who have retired in the past four years.
Duke has embraced NIL and the transfer portal while Lucas has been an assistant coach with the Blue Devils. Scheyer hired Rachel Baker away from Nike to be the Duke basketball General Manager. Lucas could build new his staff with someone who has a similar background to Baker.
Lucas discussed part of the reason he chose Miami was they are a recognizable national brand. The conversation continued as Lucas put up the U and stated everyone knows what that is. Lucas understands building a national brand with his experience at Texas, Kentucky and Duke.
Miami is only two years removed from a Final Four and three years from the first Elite Eight in program history. Lucas will be able to sell recent success. Rebuilding the roster for the 2025-26 season and producing consistency long-term will be the biggest challenges for Lucas with Miami.