Report: Duke Assistant Jai Lucas 'Focus' of Miami HC Search After Jim Larranaga Exit

Duke associate head coach Jai Lucas has not yet been formally offered a job by Miami but has "emerged as the focus" of the Hurricanes' search for a new head coach, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel and Jeff Borzello.

According to Thamel and Borzello, Miami plans to make the final head coaching decision "on a traditional timeline close to the end of the regular season."

The report comes hours after the Associated Press' Tim Reynolds reported Lucas had "agreed to become the next head coach at Miami, pending the completion of contract negotiations."

Reynolds added that "Lucas and the Hurricanes will work toward finalizing that contract in the coming weeks."

Miami's regular season ends in two weeks on March 8.

When asked about the reports after the Blue Devils' Saturday night win over Illinois, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer said he "absolutely" considered Lucas to be a potential head coach.

"It's part of why I hired him. The job he's done for us has been incredible... I can tell you, 100 percent, Jai is an amazing coach," Scheyer said, per ESPN's Jeff Borzello.

Lucas, who previously worked with recruiting and coaching at Kentucky and Texas, joined Duke in 2022 and was promoted to associate head coach in 2023.

Duke recruits including Shelton Henderson and Cameron and Cayden Boozer have mentioned Lucas when describing the Blue Devils' recruitment efforts.

The team also credits Lucas with aiding "in the development of Duke's backcourt while primarily serving as the team's defensive coordinator."

The Blue Devils boast a 24-3 record that has the team on track for a fourth straight NCAA Tournament bid, in part thanks to the team's top-10 defense.

The Hurricanes are meanwhile 6-21 and on pace to miss out on the event. Following the departure of Jim Larranaga in December, interim head coach Bill Courtney has led the program to just two wins in 15 games.

Whichever head coach is hired by Miami on a permanent basis this spring will be tasked with getting the program back on track after what is likely to be two straight NCAA Tournament misses.