DURHAM, N.C. — As Duke gears up for the postseason, one of Jon Scheyer’s top assistants is moving on to a new opportunity.
Jai Lucas, Duke’s associate head coach, has agreed to become the next head coach of the Miami Hurricanes, with an official announcement expected Thursday, according to the ‘Miami Herald’.
Duke sources confirmed Lucas’ departure, stating that he will not be with the Blue Devils for the postseason. Lucas, who joined Duke in 2022 after leaving Kentucky, will step into his first head coaching role with Miami. The Hurricanes are struggling this season, sitting at the bottom of the ACC standings (6-24, 2-17 ACC) and missing out on next week’s ACC Tournament in Charlotte. Their final game is set for Saturday at noon against N.C. State.
With the NCAA Transfer Portal opening on March 24, Lucas will need to start assembling his roster quickly. Meanwhile, Duke (27-3, 18-1 ACC) plays its last regular-season game Saturday against North Carolina. Lucas will be on the sidelines for that game, but he is expected to be introduced as Miami’s head coach at a press conference on Monday.
As the Blue Devils prepare for their ACC Tournament opener on Thursday in Charlotte, they will adjust to Lucas’ absence. Scheyer has relied on him as the team’s defensive coordinator, contributing to Duke’s No. 4 national ranking in defensive efficiency (per KenPom.com). The remaining staff, including associate head coach Chris Carrawell and assistants Emanuel Dildy and Will Avery, will take on additional responsibilities as Duke pursues its sixth NCAA championship.
A Durham native and son of former NBA player John Lucas, Jai Lucas played college basketball at Texas before beginning his coaching career. Before his time at Duke and Kentucky, he was also an assistant at Texas under Shaka Smart.
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