Miami's Jim Larranaga under contract through 2022


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CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) - Jim Larranaga seems set at Miami for the rest of his career.

The Hurricanes' basketball coach, who turns 64 next month, received a three-year extension in what works out as a nine-year deal that runs through May 31, 2022.

His team won 29 games last season, claiming the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season and postseason championships, and advanced to the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament. He also was The Associated Press' coach of the year.

"It has always been my goal to compete at the very highest level, so I am fortunate, and humbled, that I will be able to pursue this opportunity for the remainder of my career," Larranaga said in a statement released Thursday.

As a private institution, Miami does not typically disclose salary terms. Larranaga is 49-20 at Miami and 519-354 in his career, and his new deal continues a trend of Miami rewarding coaches who have flourished.

Football coach Al Golden quietly received an undisclosed raise after last season, shortly after the Hurricanes announced a second consecutive self-imposed postseason ban because of a still-unresolved NCAA investigation revolving primarily around the actions of a former booster. Golden's buyout was also increased, which would come into play if he chooses to leave Miami.

Golden's deal was amended last winter. It wasn't extended _ he's still locked up through Jan. 31, 2020 _ but Miami said it wanted to find ways to continue helping him build the program to the level he desires.

"Al wants to be here and his wife Kelly loves it here," Miami athletic director Blake James said. "Al's my guy. And Jim's my guy."

Neither Golden nor Larranaga was implicated in the notice of allegations that the NCAA sent to Miami earlier this year, the results of an investigation that has hovered over the school _ primarily its football and men's basketball programs _ since 2011, when the actions of convicted felon Nevin Shapiro sparked an inquiry.

The NCAA still has not released what additional sanctions, if any, that the Hurricanes will face.

While it waits for a decision, the athletic department has adopted "Full Speed Ahead" as a marketing slogan, and keeping coaches like Larranaga and Golden have clearly been top priorities.

Larranaga originally signed a deal that would keep him with the Hurricanes through 2016, then got a three-year extension midway through his first season, and now has another three years tacked onto the agreement.

He was a commencement speaker at Miami last spring, an honor typically not bestowed on coaches.

James described what Larranaga has done in two seasons at Miami as "just the start of something great." The Hurricanes lost their top six players from last season's team, though Miami doesn't doubt Larranaga's ability to build another winner.

"We want to build a tradition of excellence at the University of Miami," Larranaga said. "The most important aspect for me and our staff is to create consistency. With this extension the university has shown its commitment, and I am grateful for its confidence in our program."

Miami is showing confidence in more than the men's basketball and football teams.

Amy Deem, who coached the U.S. track team at the London Olympics, signed a new contract in July to remain the Hurricanes' director of track and field and cross country. The Hurricanes also are planning new deals for 2011 AP women's basketball coach of the year Katie Meier and women's tennis coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews, who has gotten her team to the NCAA quarterfinals the last five seasons.

"Top to bottom, when you look at all the individuals we have leading our programs, we're as strong as we've ever been," James said.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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