Reigning two-time NCAA champion Dan Hurley intends to make a decision by Monday on whether to stick with the Connecticut Huskies or take the NBA leap with the Lakers, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
During a phone interview with Wojnarowski on Sunday, Hurley praised L.A.’s “compelling case” for his commitment. He also described the Lakers’ vision for their team-building future as compelling, per Wojnarowski, who says the club has made a “massive” long-term contract offer to UConn’s head coach.
Hurley interviewed with Lakers team president Rob Pelinka and governor Jeanie Buss on Friday, then headed home on Saturday to weigh his options over the weekend.
Hurley told his Connecticut employers on Wednesday that he had been in talks with Los Angeles, and informed his players on Thursday. According to Wojnarowski, Hurley’s Huskies rank as the fifth-best team in the NCAA heading into the 2024/25 collegiate season.
The Lakers have spoken with a variety of other head coaching candidates to replace former two-year coach Darvin Ham, but among these, Wojnarowski reports that only Pelicans assistant coach James Borrego had two in-person interviews. J.J. Redick is viewed as another strong contender for the Lakers’ job if they don’t land Hurley.
Lakers star LeBron James is a fan of Hurley’s offensive acumen in particular, according to Woj, who reiterates that Hurley has emerged as Los Angeles’ hiring priority following its weeks-long search. Hurley boasts a 141-58 record (.709) across his six years with UConn, including back-to-back title runs in 2023 and 2024.
Okay staying or going? I’m going to submit that he will stay at UConn because he realizes his intense demeanor and No Nonsense coaching style is not a fit for the NBA at this time, and especially contrasts the needs of the currently constructed Lakers roster. He stays at UCONN.
Garywarriorsredsox going if lebron opts out never to return?
I’m not going anywhere, but I guess I could change my username like you do every 3 months.
Garywarriorsredsox hurley going my friend. And I gave you more credit for intelligence. And you should change the nonsensical name weekly til it’s sensible.
It could read either way and your reply confirms my initial thoughts. But that’s okay I’m not for everyone. I’ve got some radical takes that’s for sure, lack of intelligence aside. But I enjoy your posts keep them coming.
I enjoy your thoughts also garywarriorsredsox. I appreciate your warrior loyalty and radical is sometimes needed.
I appreciate your kind words. Kudos.
I can’t imagine the offers are anywhere close in terms of compensation, so I think he’s leaving for LA. As a coach, ALWAYS take the money. Always. You’re hired to eventually be fired anyway, no matter what you’ve done or where you go.
He wants the chance to lead that young, coachable Lakers roster though…
Lakers are the best team. The best team don’t win championship
Haha lmfao.
Best team in the NBA?
You’re the reason we need the dislike option back
If you’re smart, you’ll stay at UConn instead of jumping to LA, Dan. You’ll be comfortable at UConn and not worrying about being fired in 2 years because of the Lakers ineptitude FO.
Not sure Dan is used to calling a play and then being ignored.
Why is it that schools allow coaches under contract to negotiate with other teams as they please?
What? Do you think UConn owns him or something? You know that if you currently have a job, you are allowed to look for another job right? Im genuinely perplexed by your comment
Some “Fans” act like these contracts mean they sell their life away. All jobs have some sort of contract/agreement, yet people change jobs all the time. It like when some fans complain about players holding out for new contracts. You can try to negotiate higher salary at some jobs or decide to leave too.
Lmao maybe use a little critical thinking skills and realize pro sports is not comparable to the working world. Can NBA coaches and players under contract leave whenever they want? Can James Harden leave teams he does not like at will? No. I was just wondering why there is so much movement in the college ranks.
I could be wrong, but I don’t think a school can prohibit a coach from interviewing for a pro job. He’d only need permission from the school to interview for another job in college basketball.
Even if they could block the move, it’s a bad look. You have a coach that’s probably unhappy because you denied his/her ability to potentially increase his/her earnings. If you have to make a change, other coaches would see that, making it hard to attract the best candidates.
I think the news will leak if he is going to leave since he would likely tell a few players and staff.
I think he will stay as it seems UConn offered him an extension.
No sugarcoated soundbites about challenges, opportunities…. Just the plain truth please.
If he picks LAL, “They offered me a sh1tload of money”.
If he picks CON, “They offered me a sh1tload of money”.
The brand of basketball between the NCAA and NBA is completely different. And it is much more difficult to carry over success as a coach from collegiate to professional basketball. Dan Hurley isnt a sure hit, so much so that he’s coaching this Lakers team.
New coach same crappy owner/management.