After speculation about a move to the NBA, Dan Hurley is staying at UConn.
Hurley, who is coming off back-to-back NCAA championships with UConn, is turning down a big payday from the Los Angeles Lakers to stay with the Huskies, according to multiple reports.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Hurley turned down a six-year, $70 million offer in favor of chasing a third straight NCAA title with UConn. The deal would have made Hurley one of the six highest-paid coaches in the NBA had he accepted, Wojnarowski said.
BREAKING: Connecticut’s Dan Hurley has rejected the Los Angeles Lakers’ six-year, $70 million offer and will return to chase a third straight national title, sources tell ESPN. LA would have made him one of the NBA’s six highest-paid coaches. pic.twitter.com/hEXo3o00SR
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 10, 2024
UConn Men’s Basketball posted a statement on Hurley’s behalf Monday confirming his intention to stay to pursue more championships with the team.
“I am humbled by this entire experience. Ultimately, I am extremely proud of the championship culture we have built in Connecticut,” Hurley said. “Our focus now is on improving this summer and connecting as a team as we continue to pursue championships.”
The decision comes after reports last week that the Lakers were interested in pursuing Hurley for the job, with ESPN reporting that the Lakers were preparing a massive contract that would keep Hurley in Los Angeles long-term. The Lakers fired Darvin Ham in May after just two seasons with the team and sought Hurley as a replacement in hopes of a deep playoff run next season.
Hurley reportedly traveled to LA on Thursday and met with the Lakers on Friday to discuss a potential deal before returning to the East Coast on Saturday.
In weighing the two sides, Hurley told ESPN that the Lakers made a “compelling case” and presented a “compelling vision,” but that he is also proud of what he built with the Huskies.
According to Wojnarowski, the Lakers now want to interview other candidates in hopes of hiring a new coach before the NBA Draft on June 26.
After stints at Wagner and Rhode Island, Hurley has done well at UConn, especially in recent years. Under Hurley’s leadership, the Huskies reached an unexpected championship run in 2023 before dominating the 2023-2024 season. This past year, Hurley led the Huskies to a Big East regular-season title and a Big East tournament title before advancing through the NCAA Tournament — progress that led him to earn the 2024 Naismith Coach of the Year.
Hurley has posted a 141-58 record in six seasons at UConn and is 292-163 overall as a head coach.
