Newsmakers

Hired The University of Miami on Friday hired Jim Larranaga as the Hurricanes’ head men’s basketball coach. Larranaga, 61, had spent the last 14 years at George Mason, including an improbable run to the Final Four in 2006. He went 273-164 with the Patriots, setting a school record for victories, and led them to five NCAA tournament berths. Larranaga will replace Frank Haith, who left after seven years to become coach at Missouri.

Declared Texas players Tristan Thompson, Jordan Hamilton and Cory Joseph all declared for the NBA draft. Hamilton, a 6-foot-7 sophomore forward, plans to sign with an agent, which would immediately end his college eligibility. Thompson, a 6-8 forward and Joseph, a 6-3 guard, were freshman last season. They plan to submit their names but will hold off on signing with an agent.

Arrested Connecticut sophomore swingman Jamal Coombs- McDaniel was arrested in Storrs, Conn., on a marijuana possession charge. Coombs-McDaniel was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on a $500 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in Rockville Superior Court on May 5.

• Former Royals outfielder Brian McRae was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after a traffic stop near Kansas City, Mo. The Kansas City Star reports that the 43-year-old McRae has faced two previous DUI citations. One in 2004 led to a conviction, but an Overland Park, Kan., judge cleared him of the other citation in 2000.

Stated Rockets center Yao Ming said he hopes to continue playing for Houston after his contract expires this summer. Yao says his priority is recovering from the stress fracture to his left ankle that kept him out of all but five games this NBA season. He told reporters in his hometown of Shanghai that he hopes to begin workouts once he returns to the U.S.

Promoted IUPUI promoted Todd Howard to head coach of the men’s basketball coach. Howard succeeds Ron Hunter, who took the Georgia State job last month after 17 seasons on the Indianapolis campus. Hunter advocated for the promotion of Howard, who spent 16 seasons as his assistant. In 2001, he was given the title of associate head coach.