Should He Stay Or Should He Go Now?

USING CANES BASKETBALL HISTORY TO LOOK AT THE QUESTION OF WHETHER COACH LARRANAGA SHOULD STAY OR GO 

by Alpine; March 10, 2020

The Canes actually began fielding a basketball team way back in 1926, but the U dropped it in 1971. In 1985, it was phoenix-time as the Canes rose from the ashes and resumed play. As an Independent, BILL FOSTER led UM the first 5 seasons to a 78-71 record. During this time, Foster never had more than 12 losses and never less than 13 wins.

In 1990, LEONARD HAMILTON took over the reins and posted a 9-19 record.

In 1991, the Canes joined the Big East Conference . . . during their first 3 years there, Hamilton's teams posted Big East records of 1-17, 7-11 and 0-18; his overall record his first 4 years (1990-94) being 34-65.

During Hamilton's next 3 years (1994-97), the team upped it's game slightly, going 26-28 in the Big East; 46-39 overall and making it into the NIT twice, (though bowing out in the 1^st round).

In 1997, Hamilton's hard work finally began paying off: 1997-99 the Canes went 41-17 overall; 26-10 in the Big East (2^nd place both years) and were invited to the NCAA Championship.

In his last year here (1999-2000), Hamilton's Canes posted a 23-11 overall record, but were 13-3 in the Big East, winning the regular season title . . . they also made it to the Sweet 16 at the NCAA tournament.

Unfortunately, Michael Jordan swooped in with fools gold and our coach left us for the big leagues (where he was employed for about a year, before taking his talents to FSU).

After Hamilton, we spent 4 years under coach PERRY CLARK. His claim to fame was that, in his 2^nd year with us, his team reached the NCAA tournament after posting a 10-6 record in the Big East; 24-8 overall. That was followed up by 2 losing seasons (25-33 overall; 8-24 in the Big East) and he was thankfully shown the door.

The Canes joined the ACC in 2004 with a new head coach, FRANK HAITH. Haith recruited decently, but was a totally incompetent coach: in his 7 seasons with the Canes (2004-2011) his overall record was 129-101 and 43-69 in the ACC . . . his best season was his 4^th (23-11 overall; 8-8 in the ACC); it was his first and only time reaching .500 in the ACC, which means, he NEVER achieved a winning season in the ACC!

In 2011, we finally got lucky and hired JIM LARRANAGA, who immediately went 9-7 in conference play and indeed, in 6 of his 9 years with Miami, the Canes had a winning ACC record.

But Larranaga's reign is a tale that needs to be divided into 2 parts: the 2011-2018 seasons and the 2018-20 seasons.

In the 7 seasons from 2011 - 2018 his overall record was 161-79 overall, without a single losing season (unlike every other Canes coach). Within the ACC, he had a winning record every year except the 7-11 record in the rebuilding year of 2013/14, after his entire line-up graduated or, in the case of sophomore Shane Larkin, turned pro.

During this 7-year span, a couple notable accomplishments:

- in 4 of the 7 years, the Canes went dancing in the NCAA tournament and TWICE reached the Sweet 16

- in 2 of the other 3 years they went to the NIT, once reaching the Finals (losing heartbreakingly by 2 points)

- in 2012/13 the Canes won both the ACC regular season AND the ACC Tournament Championship, becoming the first (and only) ACC school not named Duke or NC to win both in the same season since 1974 (NC State)

- the Canes were in the top 25 three times during this period (#5 in 2013; #10 in 2016; #22 in 2018)

But in 2018/19, the Canes posted Larranaga's first losing season (14-18), including a 5-13 record within the ACC . . . WHY??!! Did Larranaga suddenly forget how to coach & recruit?

If we look closely at that 2018/19 season, we see:

1- 5-stars Lonnie Walker & Bruce Brown turned pro (+ Jaquan Newton graduated)

2- Larranaga was falsely implicated in an FBI investigation of corruption: recruits fled the uncertainty of major sanctions and we were left with ZERO recruits = ZERO freshmen

3- the NCAA slow-walked the Dewan Hernandez case (arguably our best player); eventually, the NCAA arbitrarily and non-sensically declared him ineligible for the entire season

4- Deng Gak is injured and out for the entire season; Rodney Miller needs to redshirt

This is basically the definition of a "decimated roster".

In 2019/20 (without the FBI & NCAA sticking it to the Canes), Larranaga brings in 3 good recruits + grad transfer, Keith Stone . . . unfortunately, freshmen need time to develop and since there are ZERO sophomores, we wind up not having enough bodies to pick up the slack when injuries hurt the Canes mid-season.

The Canes still manage to pick up 7 ACC regular season wins, which is more than NC!

I mention NC, because in the 17 seasons Roy Williams has coached there, they were #1 in the ACC regular season 9 times! This year, they were 13^th! They were in the NCAA tournament every year except 1, (NIT invite) . . . but this year, (unless they become the ACC tournament champion) they will miss the post-season entirely!

So even storied programs can hit a bump in the road!

Or looking at Windy's favorite, FSU's Leonard Hamilton (seen above with FSU Cheer):

1- out of 18 years there, he has only posted 8 winning seasons in the ACC

2a- 2010-12 (his 9^th & 10^th seasons at FSU) his team had two good seasons, going 11-5 and 12-4 in the ACC (3^rd place both seasons)

2b- they follow that up with 7 mediocre seasons, during which FSU only made it above .500 in the ACC twice! 

2c- 2019-20 FSU achieves 1^st place in the ACC by posting a16-4 record.

Obviously, Hamilton is a very decent coach, but he has not been a basketball god by any means! In my opinion, Larranaga has been the better coach.

So before you dump on Larranaga, get to know your history! Not giving him time to dig himself back out of the hole the NCAA/FBI dug for him would be ridiculous & ignorant.

Comments

[86Cane]

Funny that guy in the photo with the FSU Cheer team alledged to be Leonard Hamilton looks quite different from what I remember?

[alpine]

thank you, 86 . . . well done; i appreciate it!

[AeroCane]

Coach L - nice article about yourself! Oops, I mean Alpine

[nemo2020]

Viewing the team's record with rose colored glasses is understandable. That's what good fans do.
However, viewing the team's record with blinders is inexcusable.
That's what fans of losing programs do.
On game day Larrañaga can coach with the best in the ACC, given his many years of head coaching experience. However, despite his many years of head coaching experience, Larrañaga cannot recruit well enough for UM to be more competitive in the ACC.
During his tenure at UM, Larrañaga does has a (marginally) winning record against other ACC teams, which seems to be good enough for Blake James and our most loyal UM fans. However, on closer examination we see that his winning record against other ACC teams is only a few points above 50 percent, which, for many loyal UM fans is not nearly good enough.
Moreover, in the last few years Larrañaga's win-loss record against other ACC teams has been near the bottom of the 13 teams in the conference. Not good! Why is it that we're not winning more men's basketball games? Is it because Larrañaga cannot coach ACC basketball games well enough? Hell no! It is because Larrañaga cannot recruit ACC-level basketball players well enough.
Coach Larrañaga is a great guy. You can't help but like him, personally. But he has been at UM long enough (nine years) to build a more successful basketball program. Unfortunately, he is now on the downside of a very long coaching career. And he ought to realize that the ultimate test of a good leader is knowing when it is time to step aside to let someone else lead.
Bottom line: UM needs a new coach to interject new life into the men's basketball program. That happened when we first hired Coach Larrañaga. And it can happen again when we hire a new coach to replace him.

[305prophit]

Alpine,
Tell us how u really feel!

[alpine]

aero & nemo: i think it's time you two wrote a blog
. . . the title should be:

FACTS ARE FOR LOSERS WHO DON'T HAVE OPINIONS

[AeroCane]

Lol
That’s why sports are awesome!
I’m always right and if you don’t agree you’re wrong! Lol

[nemo2020]

aero & nemo: i think it's time you two wrote a blog
. . . the title should be:

FACTS ARE FOR LOSERS WHO DON'T HAVE OPINIONS

Posted by: alpine | March 15, 2020 at 12:44 PM

Alpine, perhaps the title should be:
EXCUSES ARE FOR HEAD COACHES WHO ARE LOSING TOO MANY ACC GAMES

I appreciate your enthusiasm but I seriously question your judgment.
We both love the UM men's basketball program. But for me it is tough love. To paraphrase Andrea Bocelli, Coach Larrañaga "it's time to say goodbye".

[AeroCane]

Perfectly said Nemo!

[alpine]

aero, nemo: did you actually read the blog?

reasons are not always excuses; sometimes they are rational explanations
. . . and i think the reasons larranage suddenly tanked 2 seasons ago is VERY rationally explained

[86Cane]

Bottom line: UM needs a new coach to interject new life into the men's basketball program. That happened when we first hired Coach Larrañaga. And it can happen again when we hire a new coach to replace him.

Posted by: nemo2020 | March 15, 2020 at 10:16 AM

There IT is right there.

[86Cane]

FACTS ARE FOR LOSERS WHO DON'T HAVE OPINIONS

Posted by: alpine | March 15, 2020 at 12:44 PM

FACTS? FACTS?? Now we are talking about facts???

Alpine I loved the blog you wrote and know that it took a LOT of time, effort and energy to compile all of the FACTS you presented. The research and delivery of those facts is very impressive and admirable. I am glad you choose to blog here!

The reality is that "FACTS" can be spun to support or criticize the same point and result in different points of view or "opinions" on the same set of facts. Look no further that the current political arena to see that the same situation can be seen completely differently by the two opposing sides.

Anyway, I agree with you that there are some valid facts or reasons why UM has struggled under Larranaga that have nothing to do with his coaching ability. He is a good man, a good person and a good coach.

I also agree that he is in the twilight of his esteemed coaching career and it would benefit Miami to hire a younger, up and coming coach who is a proven recruiter at a smaller school who has proven that he can do MORE with LESS. The younger coach would bring a fresh perspective, relate to today's players better and hopefully breathe life and energy into the program that appears to desperately need it at this time.

[Terrance M Sullivan]

I say Give Coach L The 2020-21 Season to turn things around he deserves that if he can he can continue going forward if he keeps this trajectory hire a new Head Coach for 2021-22 Season. By All Means have a list of 5 Names that you are looking to hire as the Next Miami Hurricanes Basketball Coach of the Future!

[86Cane]

By All Means have a list of 5 Names that you are looking to hire as the Next Miami Hurricanes Basketball Coach of the Future!

Posted by: Terrance M Sullivan | March 15, 2020 at 03:26 PM

IMHO this should be done CONTINUOUSLY every year by a good AD for all major sports. You never know what could happen until you know. being prepared like a good Boy Scout always makes sense!

I do not follow college basketball close enough to have a clue, but hey, that's not my job. I am sure there is a web site for that. Anybody got a quarter to put in the Google machine push go and look it up?

[Terrance M Sullivan]

Soupster Total Agreement but unfortunately we got an AD that's incompetent and more Out Of Touch than Hall and Oates sanged about in their 1985 Mega Hit!

[alpine]

i guess what i'm missing here, is someone arguing how ANY coach could have overcome the bs that coach L had to deal with, (all cited above), and come up with a winning season

i'm not saying, "give coach L a 10-year bonus signing right now"!

i AM saying: "he did a great job with our bb program until being doubly nailed by the fbi/ncaa . . . which DIRECTLY caused the tank
. . . but then, after a nightmare year, he still managed to bring in 3 good freshman players and an excellent transfer this year and ALREADY began digging his way out
. . . so WHY WOULD WE BE TELLING HIM TO LEAVE?"

someone spell it out for me

does the U have so much money we can afford to buy out a good bb-coach?

i love opinions; i have a lot of them . . . and they are perfect! everyone, you hear them talkin'; they say i've got perfect opinions; i mean, i don't know, it's just what i hear, what they're sayin'
. . . and i mean they are beautiful; beautifully perfect, these opinions, my opinions, i mean they compare 'em with that italian guy, ummm "leonhardon", or "leon ardoo", you know, not a mafia type, really a painter, creative guy, worked with marble too i hear, and i'm a marble guy, got lots of 'em . . .
beautiful stuff, this leoanardoo, like my opinons, perfect

. . . but i'm also glad to have someone hit me with some reasons . . . ya know?
. . . give me some of those perfect explanations that will otherwise just gather dust & mold in your closet . . . ya know?

[AeroCane]

Bottom line
Everyone has there thoughts and opinions and personally I agree with this part of soup’s post:

I also agree that he is in the twilight of his esteemed coaching career and it would benefit Miami to hire a younger, up and coming coach who is a proven recruiter at a smaller school who has proven that he can do MORE with LESS. The younger coach would bring a fresh perspective, relate to today's players better and hopefully breathe life and energy into the program that appears to desperately need it at this time.

Posted by: 86Cane

[Harry Miller]

I am with Terrance, give him one more year. Give the man a chance to overcome what he was delt.

[alpine]

regarding the last two posts (and those they refer to)
. . . if it doesn't involve buying out coach L, i can probably live with it

. . . but i'm surprised to see so much trust in blake to make the right hire!!

[AeroCane]

Alpine
Correctamundo
Blake sucks and will make the wrong decision

[alpine]

NEMO: "During his tenure at UM, Larrañaga does has a (marginally) winning record against other ACC teams, which seems to be good enough for Blake James and our most loyal UM fans. However, on closer examination we see that his winning record against other ACC teams is only a few points above 50 percent, which, for many loyal UM fans is not nearly good enough."

ALPINE: almost forgot to point out, if you look at coach L's first 7 seasons, he had 26 MORE WINS than losses against ACC teams
. . . that's not a "marginally winning" percentage

[nemo2020]

WHY WOULD WE BE TELLING HIM TO LEAVE?
someone spell it out for me
Posted by: alpine | March 15, 2020 at 04:42 PM

He's been here nine years - which I believe is a lot longer than most head coaches get to remain in a top conference like the ACC. Moreover, his overall winning percentage against ACC competition is only about 50 percent (which sucks). And lately it has been a lot worse than that.
Simply stated, Coach Larrañaga has already been here long enough, and his overall winning percentage (against ACC competition) is low enough, to justify an immediate search for a suitable replacement.
Name me any other school in the ACC (or in any other major conference) that would be eagar to hire him today as head coach?
Given his age (and other factors) everyone seems to agree that he is going to be gone (one way or the other) sooner or later.
I VOTE FOR SOONER.
There is no compelling reason to delay the inevitable for another year or two. The SOONER we find a new coach to breath new life into our basketball program the BETTER.

[pb]

I’ll bet $100 with anyone willing that coach L makes the NCAA tourney next season.

[nemo2020]

ALPINE: "you almost forgot to point out" that Coach L had his best winning season with Coach Haith's recruits.
But yes, it is true that his overall winning percentage against ACC competition was somewhat better "back in the day." But this merely accentuates the fact that his winning percentage in more recent seasons is somewhat worse than 50 percent. And . . . that's not [even] a "marginally winning" percentage.

[305Prophit]

Like BB King sang The Thrill Is Gone. Yes brothers and sister, the juice in the B Ball program is slowly draining out.
Coach Larry is a good coach but what Da U can't draw is enough high profile players. Sort of the opposite for a majority of ACC football teams. Just like 80% of the football teams lack consistency, Miami is like this in basketball.
They do need a younger energetic coach who kids can relate to. But who am I to give advice to Jake Blames, I'm just a prophet, known to speak the truth to my subjects.

[AeroCane]

I’ll bet $100 with anyone willing that coach L makes the NCAA tourney next season.

Posted by: pb |

Yep, but as an announcer! Lol

[58 Straight]

Soupster Total Agreement but unfortunately we got an AD that's incompetent and more Out Of Touch than Hall and Oates sanged about in their 1985 Mega Hit!

Posted by: Terrance M Sullivan | March 15, 2020 at 04:07 PM

DUDE! I spit out my Bourbon!!!

[58 Straight]

I’ll bet $100 with anyone willing that coach L makes the NCAA tourney next season.

Posted by: pb | March 15, 2020 at 06:52 PM

I'll take it. But ONLY if it is REAL money.

[solarcane]

Nice research Big Al good article

[solarcane]

The best thing you will see today
Tina Turner tears Wembley Stadium down

have mercy

https://youtu.be/T2T5_seDNZE

[58 Straight]

Solar...LOVE IT! My wife loves Tina and we have seen that video numerous times on YouTube.

#RockDaHouse

[solarcane]

soup me too

My wife is also a big fan. She alays likes how Tina is her own woman I guess how Tina never takes it nice ...and easy.
Stay safe during all this my pal.

[BigWindyCane1]

Alpine,

I give you great credit for a well-written and well-researched article. It was excellent, especially the photos. ☺️

But I was much more impressed with Coach L as a recruiter and developer of talent 5-10 years ago. Not very impressed with what I have seen lately. Not sure if the recruiting failures are his fault or his assistant coaches fault, but he is the person in charge.

Coach L will be our coach next season, so I will cheer for him and the team. But if this team doesn’t improve, Blake has to consider whether he wants a coach who can continue to merely manage an average ACC team, or go after a new coach who might give us a better chance to win the ACC

[alpine]

Nice research Big Al good article
Posted by: solarcane | March 15, 2020 at 09:52 PM

solar - appreiate it!

[alpine]

thanks windy

[pb]

Posted by: 58 Straight | March 15, 2020 at 09:43 PM

Then book it as you are often known to do!

[pb]

I meant vault it!!!

[pb]

From the Athletic on coaches who are on the hotseat/safe.

Coach L is obviously safe.

Jim Larranaga, Miami

Contract: A 2018 extension, a $2.3 million-per-year average, through 2023-24
This Season: 15-16, 7-13 ACC (t-10th)
At UM: Nine seasons, 190-113 (.627), 87-75 ACC (.537), 4 NCAA bids, 2 NIT trips, 1 ACC title
Career: Thirty-six seasons, 660-447 (.596), 9 NCAA bids, 8 NIT trips, 1 CIT

When Larranaga left George Mason for Coral Gables in 2011, there were all sorts of jokes about the native New Yorker (then 61) and soon-to-be senior citizen seeking a sunny destination as he approached his retirement years.

Nine years later, although the Hurricanes just completed their second consecutive losing season, it’s clear that Larranaga has exceeded expectations overall.

When you can post a history-making ACC title (2013) and two Sweet 16s (2013, 2016) at a school that once discontinued its basketball program, and you accomplish those things as a new member of a league that’s often the best in college hoops, at a place far more well-known as a five-time national champion in football, you’ve done something special.

While less accomplished coaches likely would get more scrutiny for back-to-back disappointments, Larranaga, now 70, has four more years left on his contract, is universally respected as an X-and-O master, and has six of his top seven players eligible to return, plus another strong recruiting class on the way.

If Larranaga steps away any time soon, it will be on his own terms.

[nemo2020]

Nice post pb.
I can't believe that we're stuck with him for another FOUR years! Unless, of course, Blake James decides to give him yet another extension. Ouch!
Oh well. Let's hope Coach Larranaga can turn the program around (once more).

[86Cane]

I am with Terrance, give him one more year.

Give the man a chance to overcome what he was delt.

Posted by: Harry Miller | March 15, 2020 at 05:52 PM

1. Do we all have one more year to live is the question?

2. Fair enough. I can get on board with this. Mainly because I want to win $100 from pb.

[86Cane]

If Larranaga steps away any time soon, it will be on his own terms.

Posted by: pb | March 16, 2020 at 08:57 AM

I think you nailed it with this comment.

I was thinking the exact same thing. Scary, I know.

[86Cane]

On so let it be written that on this day, March 16, in the year of our Lord 2020, that bloggers pb and 86Cane have entered into a financial agreement with each other under the following terms and conditions of said agreement:

1. Should the Miami Hurricanes basketball team under the direction of head coach Jim Larranaga reach the NCAA tournament next season (2021) that blogger 86Cane shall pay blogger pb the exact sum of $100.

2. However, should the Miami Hurricanes basketball team under the direction of head coach Jim Larranaga FAIL to reach the NCAA tournament next season (2021) that blogger pb shall pay blogger 86Cane the exact sum of $100.

Bloggers BigWindyCane, SolarCane and AeroCane shall be appointed to a Blog Review Board (BRB) to arbitrate any and all possible disputes that may arise from this agreement. Their rulling will be final and binding in all matters related to this agreement.

Thus, it is written on this day, March 16, 2020 that the agreement will henceforth remain in place unless and until both parties reach a mutual agreement to sever this agreement with the majority consent of the BRB.

[CGNC]

Nice article Alpine. I see both sides. No one should be hired anywhere until we replace the AD position with someone competent.

[nemo2020]

I’ll bet $100 with anyone willing that coach L makes the NCAA tourney next season.

Posted by: pb |

Note that pb simply bets that Coach L "makes the NCAA tourney" next year. Therefore, if UM doesn't qualify (again) but Coach L buys a ticket and he makes it to one or more of the tournament games (maybe to watch FSU play again in the Big Dance), does pb win the bet?

The arbitration board really ought to rule on this matter.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Posted by: 86Cane | March 15, 2020 at 03:36 PM

Anthony Grant.

"No one should be hired anywhere until we replace the AD position with someone competent.

Posted by: CGNC | March 16, 2020 at 03:08 PM"

This.

[alpine]

thanks CGNC

[alpine]

OGV: "Anthony Grant"

ALPINE: . . . agree

[solarcane]

Remember when you thought you had balls the day dad took the training wheels off that little Huffy ?

https://youtu.be/BvTeIDhzsqY

soup,
just trying to add some stuff till football comes back with a vengence

[solarcane]

For the baseball fans

Fan plays of the year

https://youtu.be/BxS06HgWMlw

[AeroCane]

Nemo
Or as I said earlier - as an announcer
Lol