Dan Hurley chose to stay loyal to UConn rather than accept an offer from the Lakers, reaffirming his commitment on Monday.
In June, Hurley turned down the Lakers’ coaching job, expecting a substantial raise that would make him one of the highest-paid college basketball coaches.
The Lakers’ coaching search created buzz just before Game 1 of the NBA Finals when reports named Hurley as their top candidate. Initially, former NBA player and ESPN analyst JJ Redick was thought to be the frontrunner. However, Hurley quickly became the focus of attention.
Reports indicated that the Lakers offered Hurley a six-year, $70 million contract to lead their team, but he decided to remain in eastern Connecticut with hopes of winning a third consecutive championship.
UConn responded by renegotiating Hurley’s contract, which now totals $50 million over six years. This new deal ensures Hurley remains with UConn for the foreseeable future unless an NBA team tempts him with a lucrative offer.
Hurley joined UConn as head coach in 2018 after a successful tenure at Rhode Island, which included two appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Although he initially faced challenges at UConn, he has since revitalized the program, achieving back-to-back national championships, a feat not seen since Florida in 2006 and 2007.
After winning his first NCAA title, Hurley signed a six-year, $32.1 million extension following the 2022-23 season. His latest contract is a modification of this agreement rather than a new extension, with Hurley’s tenure at UConn set to continue until the end of the 2028-29 season.
Known for his strategic brilliance in basketball, Hurley’s decision to stay was crucial for UConn to maintain its winning momentum, especially after losing most of its starters from the 2023-24 championship team.
