Jai Lucas Explains Why He Left Duke During the Season to Join Miami
In a move that shocked the college basketball world, assistant coach Jai Lucas made the decision to leave Duke University midway through the 2025 season to take on a new role at the University of Miami. As one of Duke’s key assistants, known for his recruiting prowess and player development skills, Lucas’ sudden departure left many wondering about the reasons behind his decision. In a recent interview, Lucas opened up about his choice, shedding light on what led him to leave one of the most prestigious programs in college basketball and embark on a new journey with the Hurricanes.
Lucas, who had been with Duke for several seasons, was instrumental in helping the Blue Devils land some of the top recruits in the nation, including highly regarded prospects like Cooper Flagg. His deep connections within the basketball community, particularly in the recruiting circuit, made him a highly valued asset to head coach Jon Scheyer and the entire Duke program. However, despite the success and the high-profile nature of his role at Duke, Lucas felt that the time had come to explore a new opportunity.
“I’ve always been passionate about helping young players develop, but I’ve also always been driven by the desire to grow as a coach,” Lucas explained. “When Miami came to me with this opportunity, it felt like the right time for me to take the next step in my career. It wasn’t an easy decision, and leaving Duke was difficult, but ultimately, I felt that this move would allow me to have a bigger impact on the game, both on the court and in recruiting.”
One of the main factors behind Lucas’ decision to move to Miami was the chance to be a part of head coach Jim Larrañaga’s staff. The opportunity to work under Larrañaga, a seasoned and highly respected coach, was something that Lucas found appealing. Larrañaga has led Miami to consistent success in the NCAA Tournament and has built a program that regularly competes at a high level. Lucas saw this as a chance to take on a more prominent role and help elevate a rising program in the ACC.
“Jim is someone I’ve always admired,” Lucas said. “His coaching philosophy and approach to player development resonate with me, and I think I can learn a lot under his leadership. Miami’s program is on the rise, and I’m excited to be part of that. I felt that this move would allow me to challenge myself and help continue the growth of a program that I believe can do great things.”
In addition to the opportunity to work with Larrañaga, Lucas was also drawn to the potential of the Miami program. With a strong recruiting class and a team that has shown promise, he saw a chance to help build something special in South Florida. He also noted that the location of Miami, with its proximity to some of the nation’s top high school talent, was a major factor in his decision.
“The recruiting scene in Miami is incredible, and I think there’s so much untapped potential here,” Lucas explained. “There’s a lot of talent in the area, and I believe we can bring in some of the best players in the country. Being able to recruit top talent in this region and have a direct impact on their development is something I’m excited about.”
Although his departure from Duke came as a surprise, Lucas was quick to emphasize that his decision was not a reflection of any dissatisfaction with the program or his colleagues. He expressed gratitude for his time at Duke, highlighting the relationships he built with the players and coaching staff.
“I have nothing but respect for Coach Scheyer and the entire staff at Duke,” Lucas said. “The experiences and relationships I’ve built at Duke will always be special to me. It’s a world-class program, and I’m proud of the work we did there. But at this point in my career, I felt it was the right time to take on a new challenge and grow as a coach.”
Lucas’ move to Miami marks a new chapter in his career, and while his departure leaves a gap at Duke, both programs are looking ahead to exciting futures. Miami hopes that Lucas’ recruiting expertise and player development skills will be crucial in helping the Hurricanes take the next step, while Duke will continue to move forward with their current staff, building on the success that Lucas helped foster during his time in Durham.
As for Lucas, he’s eager to dive into his new role and start shaping the future of Miami basketball. “It’s going to be an exciting journey, and I can’t wait to get started,” he said.
