• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Stephen A. Smith vs Clay Travis at Tuned In on September 16 in NYC. Don’t miss it. Buy tickets now!

Dan Hurley Spurns Lakers for UConn in Stunner

  • Hurley has led the Huskies to two straight national titles.
  • The coach was reportedly the Lakers’ top target.
Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Dan Hurley is staying in Storrs. 

The Connecticut men’s basketball coach has turned down the Lakers coaching job, according to ESPN. It would have made him one of the NBA’s highest-paid coaches at a deal for six years and $70 million. Hurley has led the Huskies to two consecutive NCAA championships and will now have a chance to chase a third title and become the first coach to three-peat since John Wooden and UCLA in the 1970s. 

Hurley met with Lakers officials late last week before returning to the East Coast to ponder the job. Los Angeles’s six-year offer implied that he would both finish out the LeBron James era and lead the team into its next phase after James retires.

The 51-year-old is currently one of college basketball’s highest-paid coaches at $5.25 million a year and was negotiating a contract extension before flirting with the Lakers. It seems nearly certain he will receive a significant raise for staying in Connecticut. He was reportedly the Lakers’ top target to replace Darvin Ham, whom the team fired in May. 

Hurley has been outspoken about his dislike for the current climate in college basketball, and many prominent college coaches have retired or fled to the pros as athletes have gained rights and compensation in the name, image, and likeness era. Hurley appeared more interested in the Lakers’ opening after rejecting Kentucky earlier this year.

The NBA could always come calling again for Hurley, who told Dan Patrick in April it’s something he eventually wants to try his hand at. That time is just not now. 

With Hurley out of the picture, the Lakers could now consider Pelicans assistant James Borrego or the broadcaster and retired player JJ Redick, who hosts a podcast with James. Redick was reported to be the heavy favorite for the job before the Lakers’ pursuit of Hurley became apparent in recent days.

This developing news story has been updated.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Fans watch as players make it into the 18th hole during round three of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC in Scottsdale on Feb. 8, 2025. Arizona Republic

Country Club Initiation Fees Soar With Golf’s Popularity

In many areas, would-be members are joining decade-long wait lists.

NBA Doubles Down on MLK Day Amid NFL Christmas Competition

NBC also announced the first NBA games that will be exclusively streamed.

Fever-Sky Viewership Dips As Clark, Reese Absences Take Toll

It was the eighth game between the two teams since last year.

Featured Today

Schultz of Israel-Premier Tech

Rice Krispies Treats Are Upending the Billion-Dollar Athlete-Fuel Wars

The world’s most elite athletes are eating like first graders.
Dec 14, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; President Donald Trump wave during the second quarter of the game between the Navy Midshipmen and the Army Black Knights at Lincoln Financial Field
August 9, 2025

‘Political Gold’: Trump Putting His Stamp on College Sports 

Trump has embraced executive action on hot-button college sports issues.
August 3, 2025

Inked Under Anesthesia: Athletes Getting $50,000 Tattoos

High-end studios, elite artist teams, and hours under anesthesia.
Coco Gauff at New York Liberty
August 2, 2025

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.

Belichick Bump Creating Record UNC Ticket Prices

The cost of seeing the NFL legend’s college coaching debut is soaring.
July 28, 2025

Bulls Extend Billy Donovan After Rejecting Knicks Advances

The Bulls finished 39–43 for the second straight season.
July 28, 2025

Deion Sanders Had Bladder Removed Due to Cancer, Is Ready for Season

Sanders had his bladder removed in May.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Mike Brown
July 2, 2025

Knicks Land on Mike Brown After Monthlong Coach Search: Reports

New York still owes Tom Thibodeau $30 million.
Udoka
June 11, 2025

Knicks Striking Out on Big-Name Tom Thibodeau Replacements So Far

Three teams have denied the Knicks permission to interview their coaches.
Jordan Ott
June 4, 2025

Mat Ishbia Goes Back to Michigan State Again in Quest to Fix..

Phoenix has now hired its coach and GM from the MSU tree.
Alex Jensen introductory press conference on Monday, March 17, 2025.
June 3, 2025

Alex Jensen Started Utah Utes HC Job While Still Coaching the Mavs

How Jensen began building an NCAA program while patrolling the Dallas sideline.