UConn linked to 2 possible replacements if Dan Hurley leaves for Lakers

Feb 26, 2020; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley watches from the sideline as they take on the UCF Knights in the second half at XL Center. UConn defeated UCF 81-65. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

UConn may already have their fallback plan in place for a potential Dan Hurley departure.

John Fanta of FOX Sports reports this week that two internal candidates are in the mix to replace Hurley at UConn if he leaves for the Los Angeles Lakers — associate head coach Kimani Young and assistant coach Luke Murray. Fanta adds that whichever of the two does not get the promotion would likely leave to follow Hurley to Los Angeles.

Young has been an assistant at UConn since 2018 and was promoted to Hurley’s associate HC in 2020. Murray, who is also the son of actor Bill Murray, joined UConn as an assistant in 2021 (but already had prior experience working with Hurley at both Wagner and Rhode Island).

Hurley, meanwhile, emerged this week as a surprise target for the Lakers as they look to hire a replacement for former head coach Darvin Ham. While it would make perfect sense for UConn, if Hurley leaves, to promote one of the top staff members from the team that just won back-to-back national titles, a report this week revealed just how likely Hurley is to take the Lakers job.