Dan Hurley Rejects Los Angeles Lakers Offer, Will Stay at UConn
University of Connecticut men's basketball coach Dan Hurley, who led the Huskies to consecutive national titles, has turned down an offer to join the Los Angeles Lakers, according to ESPN and other reports.
Hurley confirmed his decision to stay at UConn in a statement.
I am humbled by this entire experience," Hurley said. "At the end of the day, I am extremely proud of the championship culture we have built at Connecticut. We met as a team before today’s workout and our focus right now is on getting better this summer and connecting as a team as we continue to pursue championships.
UConn athletic director David Benedict expressed his excitement about Hurley's decision to remain with the Huskies.
He has helped return our men’s basketball program to the pinnacle of the sport, including back-to-back NCAA Championships, and we’re grateful for his loyalty to UConn," Benedict said. "We look forward to Dan’s continued leadership on and off the court. He will continue to bring great pride to Husky fans everywhere as we work toward a three-peat.
The Lakers' head coaching position, one of the most prestigious in North American sports, became available in May after the franchise fired Darvin Ham following two seasons. Despite having superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs this season after reaching the Western Conference finals the previous year.
While it's rare for college coaches to achieve success in the NBA, had Hurley taken the job, the Lakers would have secured one of the most prominent names in amateur basketball history.
Hurley is the brother of Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley, who led Duke to three Final Four appearances and two national championships as a player. Their father, Bob Hurley Sr., is a legendary prep coach who guided St. Anthony High School of Jersey City to 28 New Jersey state titles.
Dan Hurley, a solid player at Seton Hall and a successful Division I coach, was arguably the least known Hurley until his recent championship victories. He has won 292 games as a coach at Wagner, Rhode Island, and UConn, with a 68-11 record over the past two seasons ending in championships.
Many in the basketball world were surprised by Hurley’s decision to decline the Lakers’ offer, reportedly worth $70 million, according to ESPN.
Lakers fans are now bracing for challenging times, with their bitter rivals, the Boston Celtics, just two wins away from capturing the Larry O'Brien Trophy. If Boston defeats the Dallas Mavericks two more times, the Celtics will claim their 18th NBA title, surpassing the Lakers.
With Hurley out of the running, the Lakers may now focus on hiring a former NBA player. The Athletic reported last week that former Duke star and ESPN broadcaster J.J. Redick is a front-runner for the position.
David K. L
David K. Li is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.
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