James Joseph Larraaga is the head coach of the men’s basketball team at the University of Miami since 2011. Larraaga coached the men’s basketball team at American International College from 1977 to 1979.
At Bowling Green State University from 1986 to 1997 and George Mason University from 1997 to 2011, they led the Patriots to 13 straight winning seasons. They made him a media sensation during their 2005–2006 run to the Final Four.
His 2022–23 season as head coach of the Miami Hurricanes has resulted in the team’s first trip to the NCAA tournament’s championship game. As of the end of the 2022-23 season, Larraaga will have won 725 games as a head coach and been honored with multiple national coaching accolades.
Where Did Jim Larranaga Grow Up?
Larraaga is one of six siblings and a New York City native. She spent her childhood in the Parkchester neighborhood of the Bronx. Larraaga’s grandpa was a founding member of the Por Larraaga cigar firm in Cuba and was born there to Basque parents.
His son Jay Larranaga is an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association. Larraaga graduated from Archbishop Molloy High School in 1967 after four years on the varsity basketball team.
He continued his basketball career at Providence College in Rhode Island, where as a senior, he captained the team and helped them to a 20-8 record and an NIT berth.
In 1969, he was named the New England Division I Sophomore of the Year after leading the team in scoring as a sophomore and junior. He finished college as the fifth-best scorer in school history with 1,258 points.
The Providence College Hall of Fame class of 1991 included Larraaga. After receiving his economics degree from Providence University, the Detroit Pistons picked him in the sixth round of the 1971 NBA draft.
After hearing that he had little chance of making the Pistons’ rookie team, he left camp and took a coaching post at Davidson College instead.
How Are Jim Larranaga’s Parents?
Jim Larranaga’s parents are Eileen Larranaga (Mom) and John Larranaga (Dad). His mother, Eileen, conceived Jim on October 2, 1949. The basketball coach Jim is a native New Yorker born and raised in the Bronx.
Together, his parents have welcomed six children into the world. Jim Larranaga, like himself, is the second youngest of six kids. All of their kids are Bronx natives.
Larranaga’s paternal grandfather was born in Cuba to Basque parents. The Por Larranaga Cigar Company, which his grandpa was a part of, is also a family business.
Concerning his parents’ occupation, there is noticeably less information accessible. It turns out that Jim’s dad, John, worked in insurance at a managerial level.
His own mother relied heavily on her husband to provide for her and their children. Jim’s parents are grandparents to four adorable kids. In particular, Henry, Jon, James, and Tia.
Meet Jim Larranaga’s Wife Liz Larranaga, and Their Family
Liz Larranaga is Jim’s wife, a retired real estate agent, and a loan officer. They tied the knot in a little ceremony in the Bronx in 1971 and have been together ever since.
Since they initially met in the Bronx, it holds a special place in their hearts. They first crossed paths at community dances hosted by The Bronx Irish Center in the early 1960s, in the Bronx neighborhood where Liz lived at the time.
Rosie is coaching me, and Liz is on board with it:-
Rosie giving me some coaching tips with Liz’s approval. pic.twitter.com/94nROHb
— Jim Larrañaga (@CanesCoachL) August 23, 2011
They continued to run into one other for a while until Jim finally asked Liz out on a date. After dating for some time, Jim enrolled at Providence College while Liz continued to live and work in New York City for the NYC Department of Relocation.
Despite the distance between them, they maintained regular phone contact. They got back in touch and have stayed friends ever since.
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Jim Larranaga Children
Jay and Liz Larranaga have two boys, both named Jay, who were born in 1975, and Jon, who was born in 1980. Jay Larranaga, the eldest, once suited up for the Bowling Green Falcons of the NCAA and later played professionally in Europe.
He played for Peristeri B.C. in Greece, then moved on to France, Italy, and Spain. After that, he followed in his father’s footsteps and became a coach, first with the Irish national team and later in the NBA’s developmental league.
He worked as an assistant for the Boston Celtics and then joined Tyronn Lue’s staff as an assistant for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2021. “Just really so happy for my dad and my mom (Liz) because they’ve been on this long journey together,” Larranaga said of his father’s return to the Final Four.
Jon, his sibling, also played college basketball before graduating and playing professionally overseas. Before becoming a partner at The Meltzer Group, he worked in sales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is Jim Larranaga From?
A: Jim Larranaga is from New York City. He grew up in the Parkchester neighborhood of the Bronx.
Q: What is Jim Larranaga’s Coaching Career History?
A: Jim Larranaga has had a successful coaching career. He coached the men’s basketball team at American International College from 1977 to 1979. He then coached at Bowling Green State University from 1986 to 1997 and George Mason University from 1997 to 2011.
During his tenure at George Mason, he led the team to the Final Four in 2006. Since 2011, he has been the head coach of the men’s basketball team at the University of Miami.
Q: Who Are Jim Larranaga’s Parents?
A: Jim Larranaga’s parents are Eileen Larranaga (mother) and John Larranaga (father).
Q: Does Jim Larranaga Have Any Children?
A: Jim Larranaga and his wife Liz have two children. Their sons are named Jay and Jon. Jay Larranaga has played professional basketball and is an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers. Jon Larranaga has played basketball and is a partner at The Meltzer Group.
Q: How Did Jim Larranaga and Liz Larranaga Meet?
A: Jim Larranaga and Liz Larranaga met in the Bronx in the early 1960s at community dances hosted by The Bronx Irish Center. They started dating and eventually got married in 1971.
