The Dre Era
04-22-2011, 04:07 PM
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2011-04/61081893.jpg
@GaryParrishCBS: I'm told it got "nasty" between Jim Larranaga and athletic director Tom O'Connor at the end. Both egos played a role in this happening.
@GaryParrisCBS: Wonder how much of Larranaga's initial interest in Miami has to do with Larranaga looking up and seeing Shaka making way more $$$ than him?
George Mason coach Jim Larranaga has accepted an offer from the University of Miami (Fla.) to become its new head basketball coach, the school announced Friday.
"Coach Larranaga is the real deal," University of Miami President Donna E. Shalala said in a statement from the school. "He's a winner, an inspirational leader, and he cares deeply about his players and staff. We're delighted to welcome him and his wife as the newest members of the Miami Hurricane family."
Larranaga will be introduced at a news conference later Friday in Miami.
According to The Washington Post, George Mason athletics director Tom O'Connor said the Patriots will move "as quickly as possible, but as thoroughly as possible" in their search for a new coach.
Ultimately, George Mason just couldn't compete financially with what Miami was offering Larranaga.
"In all honesty, the university can only go so far with finances," O'Connor said, according to the AP. "We think we put together a very, very attractive financial compensation package. We couldn't compete with an ACC school, a big football school with its budget."
Larranaga, 61, heads to the ACC after 14 seasons with the Patriots, where he became the school and the Colonial Athletic Association's all-time wins leader.
He led the Patriots to five NCAA tournament appearances, including a suprising run to the Final Four in 2006.
Last season, Larranaga led Mason to the CAA regular-season title and an at-large berth in the Big Dance. After beating Villanova, the Patriots lost to overall No. 1 seed Ohio State.
Before coaching at George Mason, Larranaga spent 11 seasons as the coach at Bowling Green.
At George Mason, Larranaga was slated to make just over $500,000 next season with the possibility -- thanks to bonuses -- of raising that number to around $700,000.
At Miami, reports say that Larranaga's deal will be worth more than $1 million.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2011/04/jim-larranaga-miami-george-mason-acc/1
@GaryParrishCBS: I'm told it got "nasty" between Jim Larranaga and athletic director Tom O'Connor at the end. Both egos played a role in this happening.
@GaryParrisCBS: Wonder how much of Larranaga's initial interest in Miami has to do with Larranaga looking up and seeing Shaka making way more $$$ than him?
George Mason coach Jim Larranaga has accepted an offer from the University of Miami (Fla.) to become its new head basketball coach, the school announced Friday.
"Coach Larranaga is the real deal," University of Miami President Donna E. Shalala said in a statement from the school. "He's a winner, an inspirational leader, and he cares deeply about his players and staff. We're delighted to welcome him and his wife as the newest members of the Miami Hurricane family."
Larranaga will be introduced at a news conference later Friday in Miami.
According to The Washington Post, George Mason athletics director Tom O'Connor said the Patriots will move "as quickly as possible, but as thoroughly as possible" in their search for a new coach.
Ultimately, George Mason just couldn't compete financially with what Miami was offering Larranaga.
"In all honesty, the university can only go so far with finances," O'Connor said, according to the AP. "We think we put together a very, very attractive financial compensation package. We couldn't compete with an ACC school, a big football school with its budget."
Larranaga, 61, heads to the ACC after 14 seasons with the Patriots, where he became the school and the Colonial Athletic Association's all-time wins leader.
He led the Patriots to five NCAA tournament appearances, including a suprising run to the Final Four in 2006.
Last season, Larranaga led Mason to the CAA regular-season title and an at-large berth in the Big Dance. After beating Villanova, the Patriots lost to overall No. 1 seed Ohio State.
Before coaching at George Mason, Larranaga spent 11 seasons as the coach at Bowling Green.
At George Mason, Larranaga was slated to make just over $500,000 next season with the possibility -- thanks to bonuses -- of raising that number to around $700,000.
At Miami, reports say that Larranaga's deal will be worth more than $1 million.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2011/04/jim-larranaga-miami-george-mason-acc/1