History of Jim Larrañaga in Timeline
Jim Larrañaga is a highly respected figure in college basketball, known for his long and successful coaching career. He most recently served as the head coach of the University of Miami men's basketball team from 2011 to 2024. His tenure at Miami was marked by multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the Final Four. He also earned several Coach of the Year awards. Prior to Miami, Larrañaga coached at Bowling Green State University, George Mason University, and American International College. He notably led George Mason to an improbable run to the Final Four in the 2006 NCAA Tournament. He retired from coaching at Miami in 2024 after having reached over 700 career wins.
October 2, 1949: Birth of James Joseph Larrañaga
James Joseph Larrañaga was born on October 2, 1949.
1967: Larrañaga's High School Graduation
Jim Larrañaga graduated from Archbishop Molloy High School in 1967.
1969: Larrañaga: New England's Division I Sophomore of the Year
In 1969, Jim Larrañaga was named New England's Division I Sophomore of the Year.
1970: Larrañaga as Providence College Captain
Jim Larrañaga served as team captain for Providence College's basketball team in the 1970-71 season.
1971: Larrañaga Graduates Providence College and Drafted by Pistons
In 1971, Jim Larrañaga graduated from Providence College and was selected in the NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons but pursued coaching instead.
1976: Larrañaga Coaches in Belgium
Jim Larrañaga spent the 1976 season as a player-coach for a professional basketball club in Belgium.
1977: Larrañaga Returns to the US
In 1977, Jim Larrañaga came back to the United States.
1977: Larrañaga's Coaching Start at American International College
Jim Larrañaga began his head coaching career at American International College in 1977.
1979: Larrañaga Moves to Bowling Green
Jim Larrañaga concluded his time at American International College in 1979.
1979: Larrañaga Joins University of Virginia
Jim Larrañaga took a position as an assistant coach at the University of Virginia in 1979.
1980: University of Virginia Wins NIT Title
The University of Virginia basketball team, where Jim Larrañaga was an assistant coach, won the NIT title in 1980.
1981: University of Virginia's Final Four Appearance
The University of Virginia basketball team reached the Final Four of the NCAA tournament in 1981, with Jim Larrañaga as an assistant coach.
1984: University of Virginia's Second Final Four Appearance
In 1984, Jim Larrañaga assisted the University of Virginia basketball team to their second Final Four.
1985: Bowling Green's Improvement Under Larrañaga
In the 1985-86 season, the Bowling Green Falcons basketball team saw significant improvements under the new leadership of Jim Larrañaga.
1986: Larrañaga's Move to Bowling Green State University
In 1986, Jim Larrañaga took on the role of head men's basketball coach at Bowling Green State University.
1986: Larrañaga's Start at Bowling Green
Jim Larrañaga started his head coaching role at Bowling Green State University in 1986.
1987: UNLV's Final Four Appearance
In 1987, UNLV made it to the Final Four in the NCAA tournament.
1990: Bowling Green in Postseason Play
The Bowling Green Falcons basketball team under Jim Larrañaga qualified for postseason play in 1990 in the NIT tournament.
1991: Bowling Green's Consecutive Postseason Play
Jim Larrañaga guided the Bowling Green basketball team into the NIT tournament for another consecutive appearance in 1991.
1991: Larrañaga's Induction into Providence College Hall of Fame
Jim Larrañaga was honored with an induction into the Providence College Hall of Fame in 1991.
1991: UNLV's Second Final Four Appearance
UNLV reached the Final Four of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship again in 1991.
1996: Bowling Green's Regular Season Co-championship
In the 1996-97 season, Jim Larrañaga lead the Bowling Green basketball team to co-champions in the regular season in Mid-American Conference.
1996: UMass Reaches Final Four
The University of Massachusetts Amherst men's basketball team reached the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament in 1996.
1997: Larrañaga's Arrival at George Mason
In 1997, Jim Larrañaga became the head coach of the George Mason Patriots.
1997: Larrañaga's Accomplishments and Departure from Bowling Green
In 1997, Jim Larrañaga was awarded MAC coach of the year and left Bowling Green to coach George Mason University.
1997: Larrañaga at George Mason University
Jim Larrañaga became the head coach at George Mason University in 1997.
1997: Larrañaga Starts Guest Lecturing
Jim Larrañaga began guest lecturing at the George Mason University School of Management in 1997, years before taking on a part-time teaching position in 2007.
1998: George Mason's First CAA Title
During the 1998-1999 season, Jim Larrañaga led the George Mason Patriots to their first Colonial Athletic Association regular-season title.
1998: Utah's Final Four Appearance
The University of Utah men's basketball team reached the Final Four in 1998.
1999: Larrañaga's First CAA Coach of the Year Award
Jim Larrañaga earned his first CAA Coach of the Year award in 1999. He received this award again in 2011 after leading the George Mason Patriots to a record-breaking winning streak.
2001: George Mason's NCAA Tournament Appearance
In 2001, Jim Larrañaga coached the George Mason Patriots to a berth in the NCAA tournament.
2002: George Mason's NIT Appearance
The George Mason Patriots, led by Jim Larrañaga, participated in the NIT tournament in 2002.
2004: George Mason's Final Four Run
During the 2005-06 NCAA tournament, Coach Jim Larrañaga's George Mason Patriots reached the Final Four, becoming only the fourth team from a non-BCS AQ conference to achieve this in 25 years (after UNLV in 1987 and 1991, UMass in 1996, and Utah in 1998).
2004: George Mason's 20-Win Season and NIT Appearance
In 2004, Jim Larrañaga's George Mason Patriots achieved a 20-win season and participated in the NIT tournament.
2004: George Mason's 2004-05 Season
The George Mason Patriots finished the 2004-05 season with a 16-13 record under the guidance of coach Jim Larrañaga.
2005: George Mason's Cinderella Run to the Final Four
During the 2005-2006 season, Jim Larrañaga led George Mason University on an unexpected journey to the Final Four.
2005: George Mason's Top 25 Ranking
In 2005, George Mason achieved a Top 25 ranking during the regular season under Coach Jim Larrañaga's leadership.
2005: George Mason's Upset Wins in NCAA Tournament
In 2005, Jim Larrañaga led George Mason to upset victories over Michigan State and defending champion North Carolina in the NCAA tournament.
2006: George Mason's National Ranking
In 2006, George Mason achieved a national ranking in basketball, a feat they replicated in the 2010-2011 season after a string of 16 wins.
2006: George Mason's Final Four Appearance
In 2006, Jim Larrañaga coached George Mason University to their first Final Four appearance in the NCAA tournament.
August 2007: Larrañaga's Teaching Role
In August 2007, Jim Larrañaga started teaching part-time at the George Mason University School of Management, focusing on leadership, management, and team development. He had been a guest lecturer at the school since 1997.
2010: George Mason Patriots' 2010-2011 Season
The 2010-2011 George Mason Patriots basketball season began with a mixed start, including losses to NC State and Wofford. The team then went on a seven-game winning streak, followed by a challenging period where they lost three out of four games. They finished the regular season with an impressive 16 consecutive wins, achieving a national ranking for the first time since 2006.
April 22, 2011: Larrañaga Moves to Miami
On April 22, 2011, Jim Larrañaga became the head coach of the University of Miami's basketball team. In his first season, he led the Hurricanes to their first-ever winning record in the ACC.
2011: End of Tenure at George Mason
In 2011, Jim Larrañaga left his role as the head coach at George Mason University.
2011: Larrañaga Begins Coaching at Miami
In 2011, Jim Larrañaga started his tenure as the head coach of the University of Miami Hurricanes men's basketball team.
2011: Larrañaga's Second CAA Coach of the Year Award
In 2011, Jim Larrañaga won his second CAA Coach of the Year Award, following George Mason's 15-game winning streak and a record-setting season.
2011: George Mason Patriots' 2010-2011 Season Continued and NCAA Tournament
In 2011, the George Mason Patriots continued their season, entering the CAA tournament with a national ranking. Despite a semifinal loss in the conference tournament, they earned a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They secured a victory against Villanova but lost to Ohio State in the following round.
2011: George Mason in the 2011 NCAA Tournament
In the 2011 NCAA Tournament, George Mason, as a No. 8 seed, defeated No. 9 seed Villanova before losing to the No. 1 seed Ohio State in the subsequent round.
March 17, 2013: Miami's First ACC Title
On March 17, 2013, Jim Larrañaga led the Miami Hurricanes to their first ACC tournament championship, defeating North Carolina.
April 4, 2013: Larrañaga's Coach of the Year Award
On April 4, 2013, Jim Larrañaga was named the Associated Press' college basketball coach of the year. The Miami Hurricanes also advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament that year, achieving a school record of 29 wins.
2022: Larrañaga's Coaching Wins Total
By the end of the 2022-2023 season, Jim Larrañaga achieved a total of 725 wins in his head coaching career.
2022: Miami's First Final Four
During the 2022-2023 season, Jim Larrañaga coached the Miami Hurricanes to their first-ever Final Four appearance in the program's history.
2022: Miami Hurricanes Reach First Final Four
Jim Larrañaga guided the Miami Hurricanes to their inaugural Final Four appearance during the 2022-2023 season.
May 4, 2023: Larrañaga's Hall of Fame Induction
On May 4, 2023, Jim Larrañaga was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame & Museum.
2024: Larrañaga Steps Down at Miami
Jim Larrañaga retired from his position as head coach of the Miami Hurricanes in 2024.