Insider believes Lakers job will attract Dan Hurley's 'big ego and personality' away from UConn
Dan Hurley, the coach who revitalized the UConn Huskies program, has found himself linked to the LA Lakers' coaching vacancy. According to FOX Sports college basketball reporter John Fanta, on a DraftKings podcast, the Lakers' high-profile job could be too much for Hurley's "big ego and personality" to resist.
While speaking on the "College Hoops Today" podcast, Fanta said the allure of the bright lights and big market of Los Angeles could be too much for Hurley to resist. There's championship pedigree there and that could be very appealing:
"I think he takes this job with the Lakers. He's got an ego & big personality. He wants the next biggest thing in his career. That's how he's wired. He's also fueled by doubt. Let's face it, in the college game, he has nothing left to prove."
The Lakers are in the midst of a search for a new coach after firing Darvin Ham after they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. A mediocre roster and some coaching stumbles have crippled the star-studded Lakers with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
The Los Angeles job can be challenging for anyone as the fans are passionate and the media pressure is intense.
Dan Hurley's coaching path: A look at his Journey
Like his father, Hall of Famer Bob Hurley Sr., Dan Hurley's coaching career began at Saint Benedict's Preparatory School in 2001. He turned to the college ranks for the 2010-11 season, becoming the head coach at Wagner College, where over a three-year span, achieved two 20-win seasons and an NEC conference championship.
After just two seasons, Hurley took the coaching job at Rhode Island. Hurley's magic touch transferred to Rhode Island. He guided the team to the NCAA Tournament in 2017, its first since 1999. He did it again the next season, which remains Rhode Island's last NCAA tourney appearance.
In 2018, Dan Hurley joined UConn and led the team's rebuild project. During his tenure, UConn had three NCAA Tournament appearances and two straight national titles in 2023 and 2024. His hard-nosed coaching, along with his player-development pedigree, has turned him into a coaching juggernaut, one the LA Lakers desperately seek.