Stay or Go Home: Tough Decision for Larranaga

By Connect Mason Sports Director Damien Sordelett
Photo by Broadside Photography Editor Courtney Erland

UPDATE: Jim Larranaga has turned down the head coaching position at Providence. And, just announced on GoMason.com, Coach Larranaga will remain coach of the Patriots. He has also signed a contract extension through 2015. More details to come in the coming days.

It is a decision that could change the complexion of a college and a university. Now, nothing is set in stone and no word is coming out of either camp, but it is time to ask the question: "Coach, what's your move?"

As reported by several television networks in the Northern Virginia region, George Mason coach Jim Larranaga has been linked to the vacant head coaching spot at Providence College. Now, everyone is recalling 2006, when Larranaga turned down Seton Hall to stay at Mason. This could just be a replay of that.

• Listen to the guys from Sports Break discuss Larranaga and the opening at Providence.
  

On the contrary, this is much more than a replay. Larranaga is a Friar, graduating from the Rhode Island college in 1971. It is not out of the question that the former point guard could realize that there is no place like home and head back to his old stomping grounds.

"Tom O'Connor was contacted by officials at Providence College seeking permission to interview Coach Larranaga. Mr. O'Connor granted that permission," said Richard Coco, George Mason's sports information director.

Though Larranaga has been offered the job with Providence, do not discount what the current Patriots coach has done here in the outskirts of Washington, D.C.

For 11 years now, he has called this place home, building a strong base of support in this region. From speaking at the Washington Speakers Bureau to having his own camp here to help children learn to play basketball and become better students, Larranaga has left his mark.

And he has left his mark in the New England area as well. In 1992, Larranaga was honored by his alma mater by being inducted into the Providence Hall of Fame. In 2006, Larranaga added to that honor by being named into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame, a testament to his play at Providence and his coaching success at Mason.

Now, Larranaga must choose if he wants to make his mark as a coach at Providence. After turning around mid-major programs at Bowling Green and George Mason, is there a bigger challenge out there? Providence, a member of the mighty Big East conference, would be that challenge. Larranaga would be competing against some of the best teams in the nation on a nightly basis. Finding quality non-conference teams to face before conference games would be easy. He would receive immense national television exposure.

That is what is ahead for Larranaga if that is his decision. If he stays, his legacy will continue to build, especially with a top-tier recruit coming in. Though, going home would be more special for the 58-year-old coach, as his two sons are already making a name for themselves and the move probably would not be as stressful if his sons were still in school.

"I think what happens to me is, it's just that I think the passion I have for the game and have always had that, first as a player, then as a coach," said Larranaga after the loss to Notre Dame a few weeks ago. "I really fall in love with my guys because they give so much on the court, off the court."

The starting five from 2006 are gone and a new batch of players are in the starting lineup. This might be the time to step away and reopen a legacy that was built many years ago. Or, it could be the beginning of a new era at George Mason and Larranaga is ready to take on that challenge.