Canes Basketball Under Haith

Before Jim Larranaga came to town to take on the mantle of Hurricanes basketball, head coach, the team was led by one Frank Haith, who was very much the accomplished coach.A lot of his earlier success translated into his time with the Hurricanes.

Image source:MSN.com

Haith turned a team that had losing records for its two previous seasons and were predicted to finish last in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), and led them to the postseason. It was the Canes’ first postseason appearance in two years. After that season, Haith was considered a “miracle man” and was even a finalist for the Naismith National Coach of the Year Award in 2004.

Image source:CBSsports.com

The following year, Miami, under the guidance of Haith, made it to the NIT. They won the first two matches before succumbing to a heartbreaker against Michigan. That year was special since the Canes had won only two consecutive post season games once before.

In 2008, Haith would reach the NCAA Tournament with Miami for the first and last time and they would go on to reach the second round. The following year, Miami started out as 16th in the country. The team was also predicted to take the fourth spot in the ACC.But it had been a tough year as the Canes once again had a losing record in the conference and failed to make it to the NCAA Tournament.They however made it to the NIT.

In 2010, the Canes finished last in the ACC.

Patrick Dwyer is a financial advisor and a supporter of the Miami Hurricanes. For the latest in Canes sports, follow this Twitter account.