Miami given permission to talk to Larranaga about coaching vacancy

In his 14th season at the helm, George Mason head coach Jim Larranaga earned his second career CAA Coach of the Year award after leading his team to a school-best 25-5 regular season.  (John Powell)

George Mason has granted Miami permission to speak to Men's Basketball coach Jim Larranaga about its vacant coaching job, a Patriots' spokeswoman said Thursday, according to a report from the Washington Post. 

According to the Post, Maureen Nasser, associate athletic director for communications, said that Athletic Director Tom O'Connor allowed the sides to talk, but did not speak directly with officials from school. 

The Hurricanes, in the the Atlantic Coast Conference, are looking for a replacement for Frank Haith.

Larranaga, 61, has spent 14 years at Mason, including the Cinderella year of 2006, when he coached the Patriots to their Final Four run. He is the current Colonial Athletic Association conference's Coach of the Year. 

Larranaga is currently under contract with George Mason through the 2014-15 season.  He signed the extension after the 2008 season after interviewing at his alma mater, Providence.

Read more at washingtonpost.com.