NEVER CLAIMED PERFECTION: Miami Hurricanes Coach Jim Larrañaga Vows to Clean Up Mistakes, Calls on Fans to Stand By Him
MIAMI, FL — After a tough loss to the rival Florida State Seminoles, Miami Hurricanes head coach Jim Larrañaga addressed the media with a message of accountability and resolve. The Hurricanes’ 81-74 defeat, which came down to the final minutes on Saturday, exposed a series of mistakes that have left many questioning the team’s ability to compete at the highest level. But rather than shy away from criticism, Larrañaga took full responsibility, vowing to clean up the errors and calling on the fanbase to support the team through this challenging stretch.
“We’ve made mistakes, and we know it,” Larrañaga said, speaking from the press room at the Watsco Center on Monday afternoon. “But I’ve never claimed perfection. We’re going to take this on as a team — coaches, players, and yes, the fans too. Together, we’ll clean up these issues and come back stronger. Miami basketball has always been about resilience, and that’s what we’re going to show here.”
The loss to FSU, a game in which Miami led for most of the second half before faltering in the final minutes, marked a disappointing end to what had been a promising start to the season. The Hurricanes, ranked in the top 15 nationally, had been riding a wave of optimism after a strong run in last year’s NCAA tournament, but recent performances have raised concerns about their consistency. Missed free throws, turnovers at inopportune moments, and lapses in defense have all been glaring issues in the aftermath of the loss.
“We’re not satisfied with where we are,” Larrañaga continued. “We can’t ignore what went wrong, but we also know what’s been working well. We have a talented group here, and the mistakes we’re making are fixable. It’s just a matter of getting back to the basics and executing when it counts.”
The Hurricanes’ mistakes were particularly evident in the final minutes of Saturday’s game, when a 4-point lead evaporated due to a combination of poor shot selection, defensive breakdowns, and missed opportunities at the free-throw line. Despite strong individual performances, including a 22-point outing from leading scorer Isaiah Wong, the team couldn’t overcome the late-game struggles.
“I take full responsibility for the game plan, the substitutions, and everything that happened in that final stretch,” Larrañaga admitted. “I’ve been doing this long enough to know that games are won and lost in those final moments, and we didn’t execute. That’s on me as the coach, and I have to do a better job of preparing this team mentally and physically for those situations.”
While some fans have expressed frustration on social media and in forums, Larrañaga’s transparent approach to the loss has earned him some praise from other corners of the Hurricanes’ fanbase. His willingness to acknowledge the mistakes, without shifting the blame, has reinforced the trust that many have in his leadership.
“Coach Larrañaga has always been someone who takes ownership,” said longtime Miami fan Roberto Martinez. “We’ve seen it year after year — he doesn’t shy away from tough situations. This loss stings, but I believe in his ability to turn it around. He’s earned that trust from us as fans.”
Isaiah Wong, who has been a focal point of the offense for the Hurricanes, also expressed confidence in Larrañaga’s ability to guide the team through this rough patch.
“Coach Larrañaga has been a mentor to all of us,” Wong said. “He’s not the type of coach to just throw us under the bus. He holds himself accountable, and we respect that. We know we have to be better, and we will be. We’ve got the talent, we just need to focus and play smarter.”
The Hurricanes, who reached the Elite Eight in last year’s NCAA tournament, have high expectations for this season, with many fans hoping to see the team make a deep run once again. Larrañaga has made it clear that he and the team are not satisfied with just making the tournament — they have bigger aspirations.
“We have a long way to go, but we’ve got the pieces in place,” Larrañaga stated. “We have to be more disciplined, we have to finish games, and we have to be more consistent on both ends of the floor. This isn’t a sprint — it’s a marathon. But I promise you, we’ll keep working, keep improving, and we’ll get back to the level of basketball that this program is capable of.”
In his appeal to the fans, Larrañaga urged them not to lose faith, reminding them that success isn’t built overnight.
“I’m asking the fans to stick with us. Your support means the world to us, especially in tough times like this,” he said. “We’re building something here, and setbacks are part of the journey. I know we can come back stronger, but we need the community to stay behind us. We’re in this together, and together we will get back on track.”
As the Hurricanes prepare for their next matchup against the Duke Blue Devils, Larrañaga’s message of perseverance and accountability resonates throughout the program. While the road ahead may be challenging, Miami basketball fans are hoping that the team will take these lessons to heart, learning from their mistakes and fighting back with renewed focus and determination.
