Dan Hurley, UConn head coach, recently turned down $70 million offer Over 6 Years from Los Angeles Lakers.
UConn head coach Dan Hurley faced a pivotal decision: lead the University of Connecticut to a potential third consecutive national title or take the helm of one of the NBA’s most illustrious franchises, the Los Angeles Lakers.
“At the end of the day, it was about where I belong,” Hurley explained Thursday from UConn’s basketball headquarters.
Despite a tempting offer reported to be six years and $70 million from the Lakers, Hurley ultimately chose to stay with the Huskies.
“The Lakers organization is incredible, and the opportunity to coach such a storied franchise is a once-in-a-lifetime chance,” Hurley acknowledged. “But in the end, there were too many reasons to be here.”
Reflecting on the rare dilemma he faced, Hurley emphasized the unique choice between coaching back-to-back national champions at UConn or taking on the challenge of leading the Lakers.
Returning to campus, Hurley gathered his players and conveyed his decision to stay.
“I spoke to them about commitment to UConn and then let them know that I was coming back to coach them,” Hurley shared.
One of those players, forward Alex Karaban, expressed his joy at Hurley’s return: “He has changed my life and the lives of other players. Whether he stayed or left, I was happy for him. When he decided to come back, I was the happiest guy in the world.”
Looking ahead to recruiting, Hurley believes his decision to turn down the Lakers will resonate positively.
“I think turning down the Lakers will definitely help in recruiting,” Karaban noted. “It shows the type of person he is and how much he cares about UConn.”