The search for a new head coach is close to being over for the George Washington men’s basketball team. University of Miami associate head coach Chris Caputo is finalizing a deal to become the Colonials’ new head coach, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Caputo has spent the past 20 seasons on the coaching staff of Miami head coach Jim Larranaga, going to their days at George Mason. Caputo was on the staff when the Patriots made their improbable run to the 2006 Final Four.
He followed Larranaga to Miami in 2011 as an assistant. He became the Canes’ associate head coach and the team’s defensive coordinator in 2015.
In his time in Miami, Caputo has also been the Hurricanes lead recruiters with a strong presence in the Washington, DC area. His efforts helped Miami land the commitments of several local recruits such as Jakai Robinson, Chris Lykes, Earl Timberlake, Jordan Miller and Anthony Walker in recent years.
George Washington fired Jamion Christian earlier this month after three seasons. The Colonials didn’t win more than 12 games or finish higher than sixth in the Atlantic-10 Conference in a season under Christian.
Former Louisville assistant and interim Mike Pegues reportedly was also a finalist for George Washington along with former Georgetown coach John Thompson III.
Caputo will be charged with turning around a GW program that still hasn’t recovered from the Mike Lonergan disciplinary firing in 2016. George Washington hasn’t reached the NCAA Tournament since 2014.
