Jai Lucas is making waves in Coral Gables, and he’s not even through his first full season as Miami’s head coach. After the Hurricanes’ statement win over then-No. 11 North Carolina, the buzz around Lucas’ coaching trajectory is heating up - and fast.
Miami’s 75-66 victory wasn’t just another conference win. It was a signature moment for a program trying to reassert itself among the ACC’s elite.
The Hurricanes held UNC to just 26.5% shooting in the second half, including a frigid 1-of-14 from beyond the arc. That’s not just good defense - that’s a team buying into its coach’s vision and executing at a high level when it matters most.
This was Miami’s first win over a ranked opponent since January 2024. But more than the result, it was the how that stood out.
Miami didn’t just out-talent UNC - they outworked, out-schemed, and out-toughed them. That kind of performance doesn’t happen by accident.
It’s a reflection of a coach who’s building something real.
Lucas arrived at Miami in March 2025 on a five-year deal after spending three seasons at Duke, including time as associate head coach. His reputation as a rising star in the coaching world was already solid, but what he’s doing now is turning heads across the country. The Hurricanes are 19-5 overall, 8-3 in the ACC, and playing with a level of confidence and cohesion that suggests this is more than just a hot streak - it’s a program on the rise.
Naturally, when a young coach starts winning in a big conference, the speculation follows. Social media’s already asking how long before Lucas gets poached by a so-called “higher-profile” program.
But here’s the thing - Miami is a high-profile job. This isn’t a mid-major launching pad.
This is an ACC program in a recruiting hotbed, with a recent history of deep NCAA Tournament runs and the resources to compete with anyone.
Let’s not forget: Jim Larrañaga took this same program to the Elite Eight in 2022 and the Final Four in 2023. Miami has tasted the big stage, and with Lucas at the helm, there’s no reason they can’t get back there - and go even further.
The real conversation isn’t about where Lucas might go next. It’s about what Miami needs to do to make sure he doesn’t want to go anywhere at all.
In today’s college basketball landscape, that means NIL support, facilities, and a clear investment in the program’s long-term success. And Miami has the ability - and now, the incentive - to deliver on all fronts.
Lucas is building something special in South Florida. If Miami continues to win and back him with the tools he needs, there’s no reason he can’t chase - and win - a national championship right where he is.
