Columbus High School head coach Andrew Moran is reportedly in "serious talks" as stated by multiple outlets and first reported by Canes InSight to join the inaugural Miami staff of new head coach Jai Lucas. Moran also works as a skills trainer and helps prospects get ready for the NBA Draft.
Moran has been the head coach at Miami Columbus since 2019 and has led the Explorers to four consecutive state championships. Lucas and Moran have a connection as the former recruited five-star Columbus stars Cameron and Cayden Boozer to Duke.
Moran would provide Lucas with a connection in Miami to recruit locally. Miami and Florida are becoming more fertile recruiting regions. With elite national high school programs such as IMG and Monteverde Academies in Florida, the Sunshine State is becoming a key destination for high school recruiters.
Nine of the top 30 players in the 2025 class are from Florida. That includes Cameron and Cayden Boozer and former Miami signee Matthew Able from Fort Lauderdale Sagemont Prep School who is reportedly still considering the Hurricanes.
Andrew Moran will be a vital addition to @CanesHoops staff. Naismith HS coach of the year and highly-respected as a skills trainer and pre-draft prep trainer. Works with top NBA players in the offseason and multiple lottery picks each year. https://t.co/rMuPB3F2yW
— CanesInSight (@CanesInSight) March 20, 2025
Former Massachusetts and Drexel head coach James "Bruiser" Flint, who is currently an assistant at Arkansas, is reportedly being targeted by Lucas to join his staff. Flint was the head coach at UMass from 1996-2001 and Drexel from 2001-16. Flint has been a longtime John Calipari assistant in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.
Flint and Moran would provide Miami with an excellent balance of youth and experience on Lucas' first staff. They also both have head coaching experience with Lucas entering his first job leading a program at any level. Arkansas is playing in the NCAA Tournament first round on Monday night versus Kansas.
Expect Lucas to fill out his staff as teams begin to be eliminated from the NCAA Tournament. The transfer portal opens officially on Monday. Lucas and any potential Miami staff members will be busy. Lucas stated he is preparing for the transfer portal with the expectation of having to add 13 new players.