Coral Gables, Florida (AP)-Duke’s affiliate head coach, Jai Lucas, agreed to change into the subsequent head coach in Miami, pending the completion of contractual negotiations, mentioned an individual who knew the know on Saturday night ‘affair.
Lucas and the Hurricanes will endeavor to finalize this contract within the coming weeks, mentioned that the one who had spoken to the Related Press on situation of anonymity, as a result of not one of the events has publicly confirmed any particulars.
A part of these negotiations would come with when Lucas leaves the Blue Devils and would begin with the Hurricanes, whose common season ends on March 8. The playoffs – even a spot within the match of the Atlantic coast convention – is unlikely for Miami, which fell to 2-14 within the ACC and 6-21 general with A defeat in opposition to Virginia Tech on Saturday night.
Duke, then again, is a locking of the NCAA match and a possible candidate for the nationwide championship led by the candidate of the participant of the 12 months Cooper Flagg. Which means Blue Devils may play till early April; The switch portal opens on March 24, and it’s possible that Miami would love a brand new coach to be in place to start out the method of reconstruction of a listing.
In a little bit ironic timing, Duke performs Miami on Tuesday night – though we don’t assume that Lucas and the Hurricanes will then end contractual negotiations. In Miami, Lucas would take over Jim Larrañaga, who all of the sudden resigned in December And was changed interim by the longtime affiliate coach of Miami, Invoice Courtney.
Duke Beat Illinois to Madison Sq. Backyard Saturday night 110-67. After this match, Blue Devils coach, Jon Scheyer – who didn’t point out that he didn’t know any settlement between Lucas and Miami – mentioned that Lucas was “completely” a coach and that is why he introduced him to Duke.
“I can inform you, 100%, I used to be an unbelievable coach,” mentioned Scheyer. “He was nice for these guys and we’ll proceed to maneuver ahead collectively and perceive all of this. He is nice, man. All over the place, it’s nice.
The Hurricanes went to the Last 4 two seasons and began final season with 11 wins of their first 13 video games. However because the starting of January 2024, Miami went 10-36 – the worst report of any convention college for energy of division I throughout this era – and 6-29 in opposition to the adversaries of ACC.
Duke is assessed N ° 3 this week within the high 25 of the AP. The Canesinsight web site first reported an settlement between the Hurricanes and Lucas.
Lucas, 36-The son of the previous NBA coach John Lucas, is considered one of Scheyer’s workers in Duke for 3 years, the 2 most up-to-date of those as a related chief coach.
Lucas is taken into account a excessive -level recruiter and was primarily chargeable for Duke’s victory to signal the Twin Cameron and Cayden Boozer brothers final fall. The Boozer Twins, the sons of the previous Duke star and the NBA participant, Carlos Boozer, dwell in Miami – and have been additionally a better goal of hurricanes.
Lucas can also be Duke’s defensive coordinator, mentioned Blue Devils. He labored in Kentucky for 2 seasons as a recruitment coordinator and deputy coach, becoming a member of the Wildcats after seven years in Texas – his Alma Mater – the place he began as a particular assistant, then Director of basketball operations and is lastly change into deputy coach.
Lucas started his college participant profession in Florida, beginning 36 video games for Gators through the 2007-08 season, earlier than transferring to Texas. He briefly performed in skilled basketball, together with a passage with the SkyForce of Sioux Falls of the G League – the subsidiary of Miami Warmth within the Growth League.
___
Get alerts and updates of the TOP 25 survey of the AP all through the season. Register right here. AP School Basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll And https://apnews.com/hub/college-mazaketball
