University of Miami associate head basketball coach Chris Caputo, who has been Jim Larranaga’s assistant for two decades, will be named head coach at George Washington University, according to a UM source with knowledge of the negotiations.
An announcement is expected on Friday.
Caputo replaces Jamion Christian, who was let go March 14 after a 12-18 season and a 29-50 record over the past three years.
Caputo, 41, just completed his 10th season with the Hurricanes and his 19th year as Larranaga’s right hand man after coaching with him at George Mason. In May 2015, Caputo was promoted to associate head coach for the Hurricanes and acts as the team’s defensive coordinator.
Several times during the Hurricanes’ recent Elite Eight run, Larranaga made it a point to credit Caputo and his other assistants for his success.
“When I say, during last summer we came up with a new offense and new defense, not my idea. It’s an accumulation of ideas that come from all of our experiences,” Larrranaga said in Chicago during his Sweet 16 press conference. “Chris Caputo, my associate head coach, does an amazing job. Should be a head coach. He’s got all the experience in the world to run his own program. Bill Courtney, who’s had six years of head-coaching experience. Those guys are my brain trust, and they work with the players. As much as the players feel about me, if you ask them about my staff they would tell you the same thing. They love those guys.”
He then mentioned how close Caputo is with his players.
“My most vivid picture is when we won the ACC championship in 2013, and Shane Larkin, who was a Second Team All-American ACC Player of the Year, the moment we won the game, he ran over to our bench and hugged Chris Caputo. That’s the kind of relationship my staff has with the players.”
Caputo has helped lead the Hurricanes to seven postseason berths, five NCAA appearances, two Sweet 16s and the Elite Eight this season. During his time at UM, the Canes won the 2013 ACC regular season and ACC tournament titles, have had four 25-win seasons and were ranked as high as No. 2.