On Tuesday morning, the CBS Sports crew released an article naming the top 10 first-year head coaches after the 2025–26 season, and Miami Hurricanes head coach Jai Lucas was named a top finalist.
In his first year as head coach, Lucas had an incredible turnaround for the Hurricanes, taking them from a 2024 loss against Charleston Southern to a March Madness Round of 32 appearance just a year apart.
After a great first year, Lucas continued to build his roster by landing transfers Acaden Lewis, Somto Cyril, and DeDean Goode, alongside Caleb Gaskins.
Here is what the CBS Sports crew said about Jai Lucas and the Miami Hurricanes, during his first season under the helm:
How about this for an intro: Lucas took over a Miami program that went 7-24 the year before he got there. This past season, the Hurricanes went 26-9 and earned a 7-seed, advancing to the second round of the tournament. Few D-I coaches (if any?) had ever overseen a 19-win turnaround while simultaneously making their debut as a head coach. Lucas' reputation rightfully took an immediate jump, thanks in no small part to some healthy NIL backing in Coral Gables. The Canes finished third in the ACC after going 11-2 against the 338th non-conference schedule. Miami is loading up for Year 2 -- adding the likes of Georgia transfer Somto Cyril and Villanova transfer Acaden Lewis -- and figures to be even better in 2026-27.
As Lucas begins his second season coaching with the Miami Hurricanes, he made one thing clear when he came to Miami his first day he stepped on campus: Miami will sit down, guard you, and get up in your face on the defensive end. That is exactly what he is bringing to the team this year.
In his first year as head coach, Lucas had an incredible turnaround for the Hurricanes, taking them from a 2024 loss against Charleston Southern to a March Madness Round of 32 appearance just a year apart.
After a great first year, Lucas continued to build his roster by landing transfers Acaden Lewis, Somto Cyril, and DeDean Goode, alongside Caleb Gaskins.
Here is what the CBS Sports crew said about Jai Lucas and the Miami Hurricanes, during his first season under the helm:
How about this for an intro: Lucas took over a Miami program that went 7-24 the year before he got there. This past season, the Hurricanes went 26-9 and earned a 7-seed, advancing to the second round of the tournament. Few D-I coaches (if any?) had ever overseen a 19-win turnaround while simultaneously making their debut as a head coach. Lucas' reputation rightfully took an immediate jump, thanks in no small part to some healthy NIL backing in Coral Gables. The Canes finished third in the ACC after going 11-2 against the 338th non-conference schedule. Miami is loading up for Year 2 -- adding the likes of Georgia transfer Somto Cyril and Villanova transfer Acaden Lewis -- and figures to be even better in 2026-27.
As Lucas begins his second season coaching with the Miami Hurricanes, he made one thing clear when he came to Miami his first day he stepped on campus: Miami will sit down, guard you, and get up in your face on the defensive end. That is exactly what he is bringing to the team this year.
