Popular college hoops analyst spills the beans on what made UConn HC turn down $70M Lakers’ offer
Dan Hurley's back-to-back championship runs with the UConn Huskies made him the top coaching prospect for the Los Angeles Lakers. He traveled to the City of Angels in June to converse with the stakeholders. However, despite heavily considering a switch to the big league, Hurley rejected the $70 million offer to stay with the Huskies.
Now, as UConn and Hurley seal their partnership till the end of the 2029 season through a $50 million extension, Mark Zanetto spills the beans on Hurley’s reason for declining the Lakers.
“Let's not forget that Hurley turned down the Lakers offer which was, now that we know he got a five years $50 million extension, or 6 years $50 million dollar extension to make him the second highest paid coach in college basketball, he turned down $20 million more to be the Lakers coach," Zanetto said.
"And according to Thomas, that dedication bodes well for UConn's pursuit. His quote was ‘it's big,’ his message to me was kind of like ‘I could have taken that job but I love what I do so much. And I feel like I’m not finished here yet. So Dan Hurley is continuing his pursuit of everything," he followed.
One of Dan Hurley's methods to finalize his decision was through a unique text message rendezvous with his wife, Andrea Hurley. The couple, on the count of three, texted each other either "go" or "stay" to find clarity. They repeated the ritual twice within the next 24 hours before Hurley voiced his decision to remain in Connecticut.
Dan Hurley's former player was not amazed at his decision
Upon learning about the Lakers’ pursuit of his ex-coach, former UConn Huskies star Donovan Clingan praised Hurley’s coaching acumen. Nevertheless, he claimed that Dan Hurley’s decision to reject the Lakers offer to stay with the Storrs did not surprise him.
“He’s a great coach and could coach anywhere,’’ Clingan shared with the New York Post. “But I’m not surprised because I know what UConn means to him,” he added.
Dan Hurley will now embark on a potential three-peat with a fresh roster. He has already become the only coach to win consecutive titles since 2006-07.
Another NCAA title will not only make UConn the first team to mark a three-peat since UCLA in the 1970s, but it can also make Hurley the greatest college coach in modern-day basketball.