Maybe Jim Larranaga is truly interested in leaving George Mason to fill the Miami basketball head coaching vacancy. He has received permission from the Patriots to talk to Miami, according to Steven Goff of the Washington Post.

George Mason granted Miami permission to talk to Jim Larranaga about its men's basketball coaching vacancy, a Patriots spokeswoman said Thursday.

Athletic Director Tom O'Connor did not speak directly with officials from the Atlantic Coast Conference school but did allow the sides to talk, said Maureen Nasser, associate athletic director for communications.

This is a possible sign that Larranaga is considering taking the job, which would be a surprise because he has consistently turned down overtures from other power-conference programs to remain at George Mason. The possibility that he is using Miami as leverage to receive a more lucrative contract from George Mason must also be considered. Larranaga made just over $700,000 last season and is under contract through the 2015/16 season.