In a significant development in college basketball, Duke associate head coach Jai Lucas has agreed to become the next head coach of the Miami Hurricanes men’s basketball team, pending the completion of contract negotiations.

Lucas, 36, has rapidly ascended the coaching ranks, earning a reputation as a top-tier recruiter and defensive strategist. He began his coaching career at the University of Texas in 2016 before joining the University of Kentucky in 2020. In 2022, he was hired by Duke, where he was promoted to associate head coach in 2023.

Duke head coach Jon Scheyer praised Lucas’s coaching acumen, stating, “Absolutely he’s a head coach, no question about it. It’s part of why I hired him.”

Lucas’s basketball pedigree is notable; he is the son of former NBA player and coach John Lucas II. His playing career included stints at the University of Florida and the University of Texas, followed by professional play overseas and in the NBA G League.

The Miami head coaching position became available following the retirement of Jim Larranaga in December 2024, after a 13.5-year tenure that included the program’s first-ever Final Four appearance in 2023.

As contract details are finalized, the timeline for Lucas’s transition to Miami remains under discussion, especially with the upcoming NCAA Tournament and a scheduled game between Duke and Miami on Tuesday.

This hiring marks a new chapter for Miami basketball, with expectations high for Lucas to build upon the program’s recent successes.