Dan Hurley is in discussions with the Los Angeles Lakers about potentially becoming their next head coach, but it sounds like there is a decent chance he could remain with UConn.
According to longtime college basketball reporter Jeff Goodman, Hurley is “50-50” on whether he wants to take the Lakers job or remain with the Huskies. While the Lakers will be able to pay Hurley far more money than UConn, Goodman reports that UConn is offering Hurley a new contract that would make the 51-year-old one of the three highest-paid coaches in college basketball.
HUGE DAY as Dan Hurley will meet with the Lakers brass in Los Angeles.
One source close to Hurley told @TheFieldOf68 it’s “50-50” whether he heads to the NBA or returns to UConn.
Source told @TheFieldOf68 UConn has strong offer on table, but obviously can’t match or even get…
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 7, 2024
UConn’s current contract offer would make Dan Hurley one of the top 3 paid coaches in college basketball, behind Bill Self and John Calipari, source told @TheFieldOf68. https://t.co/5BWjKbRJ7H
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 7, 2024
Goodman added that money will not be the “primary factor” in Hurley’s decision, but the gap between UConn’s extension offer and what the Lakers are willing to pay is significant.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Thursday that Hurley has been the Lakers’ top choice from the start. If that is true, it is possible that Hurley initially turned the Lakers down but has since changed his mind.
Now, the question is whether Hurley has legitimate interest in making the jump to the NBA or if he is simply trying to get more money from UConn. It is also fair to wonder if a conversation with a fellow coaching legend inspired Hurley to circle back with L.A.
Hurley has won back-to-back national championships at UConn. He has already turned down one huge college job, but he has not ruled out coaching in the NBA someday.
