Dan Hurley, head coach of the University of Connecticut men’s basketball team, has decided to remain with the Huskies despite an offer from the Los Angeles Lakers to join their coaching staff. The decision brings an end to weeks of speculation about Hurley’s future and leaves him poised to guide UConn in their quest for a third consecutive NCAA men’s basketball championship title.
Following ESPN’s initial report on Monday, Governor Ned Lamont publicly expressed his support for Hurley’s decision to stay in Connecticut, stating that the state would ensure he remains “the top-paid college coach” if he continues with UConn. While no official statements have been released by the university, they did share an image of Hurley with his arms raised in celebration and confirmed that a 2 p.m. practice was underway.
Assistant Coach Luke Murray, who has worked with Hurley at Wagner, Seton Hall, and UConn, also expressed his excitement for the upcoming season by posting a video of Hurley lifting his arms in triumph after winning the national title, seemingly without need for explanation. Governor Lamont shared his enthusiasm for another successful season, tweeting, “Now let’s get ready for a #3peat, because Connecticut knows champions are built here.
In choosing to remain at UConn instead of accepting an offer from one of the most storied franchises in professional sports, Hurley demonstrated his dedication to maintaining a championship culture within the Huskies organization. Over the past two title-winning seasons, Hurley has amassed a 68-11 record, leading the team to an impressive undefeated streak of 12-0 NCAA tournament games and an average win margin of 21.7 points per contest.
With this decision, Hurley will now have the opportunity to become only the second program in history to secure three consecutive men’s national titles, a feat accomplished once before by legendary UCLA Coach John Wooden during his tenure from 1967-1973.
In a statement released through UConn, Hurley expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to continue building on the team’s success and emphasized that their focus is now firmly set on improving this summer and strengthening connections within the squad as they strive towards achieving even more championship victories.
Hurley’s decision to remain at UConn has effectively put an end to his brief stint in the coaching equivalent of the transfer portal, making him eligible for significant financial rewards from the university in recognition of his commitment and continued success. Last June, Hurley signed a six-year, $32.1 million contract extension, and it is expected that another lucrative deal will soon follow in light of UConn’s recent signing of women’s coach Geno Auriemma to a five-year extension worth nearly $19 million.
As Hurley prepares for the upcoming season with the Huskies, he can look back on an impressive coaching career spanning 14 seasons and six successful years at UConn. With a record of 241-90 when excluding his initial losing seasons at Wagner, Rhode Island, and UConn, Hurley has demonstrated his ability to turn struggling teams around and deliver consistent success across multiple programs.
With the support of Governor Lamont and the backing of UConn’s administration, it appears that Dan Hurley is committed to continuing his journey with the Huskies for the foreseeable future. As they look ahead to another potential championship run, fans can take comfort in knowing that their team remains in capable hands under Coach Hurley’s leadership.