FILE – UConn head coach Dan Hurley calls his gamers through the first half of the Elite eight school basketball sport in opposition to Illinois within the NCAA males's event, Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Boston. The Los Angeles Lakers' reported plan to supply UConn coach Dan Hurley a large contract is the newest twist within the month-long race to exchange Darvin Ham. (AP Picture/Steven Senne, File)
Dan Hurley is staying at Connecticut and has determined to show down a suggestion to take over the Los Angeles Lakers, ending days of hypothesis about his future and that means he’ll attempt to lead the Huskies to a 3rd straight NCAA championship.
“Our MVP coach stays in CT,” Gov. Ned Lamont posted on social media.
ESPN first reported Hurley's determination on Monday, and was the primary to report final week that he was rising as a critical contender for the Lakers job. Hurley met with Lakers officers on Friday, then spent the weekend weighing his choices.
And it seems to be like Hurley will quickly be richly rewarded for staying at UConn: Shortly earlier than ESPN's report on Hurley's determination to remain put, Lamont, who was involved with Hurley all through the weekend , acknowledged that the state will “ensure he's the very best paid school coach” if he stays with the Huskies.
The one instant remark from UConn was the college posting an image of Hurley along with his fingers within the air and one other submit saying the staff's 2 p.m. observe was underway. Assistant coach Luke Murray, who labored with Hurley at Wagner, Seton Corridor and UConn, additionally posted a video of Hurley elevating his arms within the air in celebration of the nationwide title — with out captions, presumably as a result of the that means of the submit was clear sufficient.
“Now let's prepare for a #three Peat as a result of Connecticut is aware of champions are made right here!” Lamont wrote.
Hurley had the choice to take over one of the crucial storied franchises in skilled sports activities, to not point out maybe the prospect to teach the NBA's all-time scoring chief, LeBron James. However in the long run, his keep within the teaching model of the switch portal was brief — and he'll stay at UConn, the place he went 68-11 over his final two title-winning seasons.
En path to these two titles, the fiery Hurley and the tough-as-nails Huskies left little question – 12-Zero within the NCAA Tournaments, profitable by an astounding 21.7 factors per contest. UConn will attempt to change into the second program to win three consecutive males's nationwide titles; UCLA, the one males's program to do higher than go backwards, gained seven in a row from 1967 to 1973.
“I’m humbled by this complete expertise” Hurley stated in a press release distributed by UConn. “On the finish of the day, I'm extraordinarily happy with the championship tradition we've constructed at Connecticut. We met as a staff earlier than observe as we speak and our focus proper now could be getting higher and higher this summer season and connecting as a staff as we proceed to chase championships.”
Hurley might be chasing one thing uncommon, turning down the chance for one thing equally uncommon: leaving the defending NCAA champions for the NBA.
The final time a coach made such a transfer was after the 1987-88 season, when Kansas gained the NCAA title and Larry Brown determined to depart for the NBA. He took over the San Antonio Spurs and Roy Williams turned the coach of the Jayhawks.
The Spurs gave Brown $three.5 million over 5 years, which was some huge cash on the time, however nothing in comparison with what Hurley would have commanded from the Lakers—most likely greater than $10 million. dollars per season, or about double what he at the moment earns at UConn. And Brown turned the one coach to win each an NCAA title and an NBA championship; gained that title with Detroit in 2004.
Hurley had an opportunity to attempt to observe the identical path. He may get his probability once more in the future — however for now, no less than, the NBA can wait.
Hurley is 141-58 in his six seasons at UConn and 292-163 total in 14 seasons as a collegiate coach — including his years at Wagner and Rhode Island.
He went by means of 4 dropping seasons in that span; his first yr at Wagner, his first two at Rhode Island and his first yr at UConn. As soon as he will get going, the wins add up: Take out how these shutouts began, and Hurley's file is 241-90 – a .728 profitable share.
And he was rewarded for that success; final June, he signed a $32.1 million, six-year contract. One other deal is sort of definitely on the best way now, one that can come shortly after UConn signed ladies's coach Geno Auriemma to a five-year extension value almost $19 million final week.
“We'll attempt to replicate it once more,” Hurley stated in April after profitable his second straight nationwide title. “We’ll preserve a championship tradition. We’re bringing in some very gifted highschool freshmen. Our returning gamers, by means of participant growth, will make a giant leap. We’ll add strategically by means of the portal. I don't suppose we're going wherever.”
The Lakers nearly made him change his thoughts. And now their search continues.