"The type of coaching that suits me best right now is college": Dan Hurley reveals why he didn't go through with the Lakers job
One of the reasons behind Dan Hurley's decision on the Los Angeles Lakers' coaching offer was a coach who had been in the same situation. Before declining the reported six-year, $70 million offer, Hurley contacted Billy Donovan, who is currently coaching the Chicago Bulls.
Donovan led Florida to back-to-back NCAA titles (2006 and 2007), a feat repeated by Hurley in 2024, drawing attention from the Orlando Magic.
However, CT Insider’s UConn men's basketball beat writer David Borges reported that the two did not dwell around the Lakers organization. Instead, Dan Hurley and Donovan talked about the differences between coaching in the NBA and NCAA, helping the UConn coach decide on his future.
"My whole mindset, the type of coaching that suits me best right now, is certainly college," Hurley told Borges. "I want to be able to control my own destiny the best that I can. I schedule my games, I pick the players, I hire my staff. I decide how long we're going to practice, when we're going to practice."
NBA's methodologies are nowhere near the flexibility and control one has in the NCAA, like deciding the opponents, venues or dates. The majority of the decisions, regarding staff, trades and roster additions are spearheaded by the general manager.
Even though Billy Donovan opted out of his initial NBA contract within days, he returned to the NBA stage in 2015, as the OKC Thunder’s coach. After leading OKC to the playoffs each year, he has been leading the Bulls since 2020.
Control of the roster will cost Dan Hurley $3.3 million every year
After Hurley rejected the Lakers’ proposal, the UConn Huskies spared no time in ensuring the coach stays with the program for the coming years. UConn extended Hurley’s contract in July, a $50 million payout, spanning the next six years and keeping him till the 2029 season.
With that, Dan Hurley will be receiving $20 million less than what the Lakers were reportedly willing to offer him, amounting to nearly a $3.3 million pay cut each year.
Nevertheless, the extension contains $1 million in retention bonuses and other compensations ranging around $6 million through the contract tenure.