At just 36 years old, Lucas would be one of the youngest head coaches in high-major college basketball, potentially allowing him to connect better with current players.

Miami fans are expressing enthusiasm about the possibility of Lucas's hiring, particularly due to his impressive recruiting track record and previous successes at Duke.

Although no formal offer has been made yet, the Miami coaching search is expected to conclude soon, ideally before the transfer portal opens on March 24.

Jai Lucas, currently an assistant coach at Duke University, is emerging as a leading candidate for the head coaching position at the University of Miami following Jim Larranaga's retirement.

Renowned for his exceptional recruiting abilities, Lucas has played a pivotal role in attracting elite talent to Texas and Kentucky, and has contributed to Duke's highly ranked recruiting classes for 2023, 2024, and 2025.

While critics have raised concerns about Lucas's lack of head coaching experience, supporters emphasize his strong coaching pedigree, having worked under notable figures like Rick Barnes and John Calipari.

Lucas, a former McDonald’s All-American player, had a collegiate career at Florida and Texas, where he averaged 2.9 points and 1.2 assists over two seasons.

The Hurricanes have recorded a dismal 10-36 record since early January 2024, marking the worst performance among Division I power conference teams during this period.

Initial reports of Lucas's candidacy were confirmed by various sources, indicating a promising future for both him and Miami's basketball program.

Miami's basketball program is currently struggling, sitting at the bottom of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and attempting to recover from a disappointing season after reaching the Final Four less than two years ago.

Despite securing the highest-ranked player in program history, Jalil Bethea, Miami's current season has been one of the worst in college basketball.

As Miami looks to rebuild its struggling roster, the hiring of Lucas could significantly impact the team's recruitment strategies and overall performance.