Multiple media outlets are confirming Miami will hire Duke assistant Jai Lucas as head coach. CanesInSight initially reported Lucas was rumored to be the front-runner as the next Miami head coach on February 22. Peter Ariz of Canes InSight reported that a Monday press conference is expected to introduce Lucas.
"Lucas is expected to leave Duke and be with Miami in a full-time capacity after the Duke-UNC game this weekend, a source" told Matt Norlander of CBS Sports. Lucas committing to Miami full-time after the conclusion of the regular season allows him to immediately begin recruiting potential transfers.
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer hired Lucas in 2022 to be on his first staff with the Blue Devils. Lucas has been the associate head coach in the last two seasons. Lucas has previously worked under Rick Barnes and Shaka Smart at Texas and John Calipari at Kentucky.
Throughout his career, Lucas has been known as an elite recruiter, an adept developer of guards and an elite defensive coordinator. Lucas will become the youngest power conference head coach nationally. Jeff Borzello of ESPN reported an official announcement of Lucas' hiring is expected on Thursday morning.
Miami is hiring Duke associate head coach Jai Lucas as the Hurricanes next head coach, source tells @On3sports.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) March 5, 2025
Lucas, 36, joined Duke as an assistant in 2022 after a couple years under John Calipari at Kentucky. A native of Houston, Lucas also spent time at Texas as an… pic.twitter.com/XkfwLOo5Ry
Michelle Kaufman of the Miami Herald reported on Saturday that Lucas could hire Miami Columbus head coach Andrew Moran as an assistant. Lucas was the primary recruiter for Duke signing Columbus twins Cameron and Cayden Boozer. Miami was reportedly the runner-up for the Boozers.
Lucas has the task of rebuilding nearly an entirely new roster. Miami guards, redshirt junior A.J. Staton-McCray, sophomore Paul Djobet and freshmen Jalil Bethea, Austin Swartz and Divine Ugochukwu are the only Hurricanes on the 2024-25 roster with eligibility remaining beyond this season.
Current Miami assistant coach Kotie Kimble reported Staton-McCray is expected to participate in Senior Day on Saturday when Miami hosts North Carolina State in the final game of the regular season. Lucas should be expected to meet with the three freshmen when he is officially hired by Miami.