Dan Hurley turns down Lakers job to stay at UConn – NBC Los Angeles

In a choice that has reverberated all through the basketball group, Dan Hurley has chosen to stay at UConn, turning down a reported profitable provide from the Los Angeles Lakers to develop into their subsequent head coach.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the information on Monday and the college confirmed to NBC Connecticut. Hurley later launched an announcement about his resolution to remain:

“I’m humbled by this whole expertise,” Hurley stated. “On the finish of the day, I’m extraordinarily pleased with the championship tradition now we have constructed at Connecticut. We met as a group earlier than immediately’s exercise and our focus proper now could be getting higher this summer season and connecting as a group as we proceed to pursue championships.”

The provide, reportedly value $70 million over six years, was apparently not sufficient to entice Hurley away from UConn, the place he now seeks a three-peat — hoping to develop into the primary head coach to take action since UCLA’s John Picket, who gained an unprecedented seven straight titles between 1967 and 1973.

This pivotal second not solely reinforces Hurley’s dedication to this system he has constructed right into a nationwide powerhouse, but in addition leaves the Lakers persevering with their seek for a brand new head coach.

A legacy cemented at UConn

For Hurley, the attract of the NBA was simple. The Lakers offered a compelling imaginative and prescient and an opportunity to guide considered one of basketball’s most storied franchises.

Nevertheless, the bond Hurley has solid with UConn, a program he has elevated to unprecedented heights, proved stronger. His resolution to remain displays a deep-seated dedication to his gamers, his workers and the legacy he continues to construct in school basketball.

At UConn, Hurley has crafted a dynasty, securing back-to-back nationwide championships and a record-breaking 12 consecutive double-digit match victories.

His management has reworked the Huskies right into a perennial powerhouse, mixing tactical brilliance with an unwavering concentrate on participant growth. This dedication has not solely introduced success on the courtroom however has additionally instilled a tradition of excellence and resilience throughout the program.

The guts of Hurley’s resolution

In selecting to remain at UConn, Hurley reaffirmed his perception within the values which have guided his profession. The relationships he has nurtured, the younger skills he has developed, and the group he has impressed all performed an important position in his resolution. This alternative underscores the significance of legacy and loyalty in a world usually pushed by ambition and alternative.

Hurley’s journey from highschool teaching to main UConn to nationwide prominence is a testomony to his relentless pursuit of excellence.

His background, deeply rooted in a household of coaches — his father, Bob Hurley Sr., a Naismith Corridor of Fame coach, and his brother Bobby, head coach at Arizona State — has been instrumental in shaping his profession. Staying at UConn is not only about persevering with a job; it is about honoring a legacy and pushing the boundaries of what this system can obtain.

Lakers’ search continues

With Hurley’s resolution made, the Lakers are left to recalibrate their seek for a head coach.

The main target now shifts to different outstanding candidates who can convey a contemporary perspective and modern methods to the group.

The Lakers have proven a dedication to discovering a coach who aligns with their imaginative and prescient of growth and success. With Hurley staying at UConn, J.J. Redick stays the frontrunner for the job, with different names like James Borrego, Kenny Atkinson, David Adelman, Sam Cassell, and Micah Nori nonetheless in competition.

If the Lakers wish to proceed to pursue an enormous fish on this planet of school basketball, former Villanova head coach Jay Wright might be in play, in response to NBA Insider Marc Stein.

The Lakers, coming off a season marked by a first-round playoff exit, are decided to discover a chief who can maximize the potential of their roster.

With LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the core, the brand new coach might want to combine star energy with the event of younger skills like Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura.

The aim is obvious: to return the Lakers to championship competition whereas fostering a tradition of development and resilience.

The street forward

For Hurley, the choice to stay at UConn is each a reaffirmation of his values and an announcement of intent. He continues to construct on a legacy that has already made him one of the revered coaches in school basketball.

The challenges of NIL fundraising and the evolving panorama of school sports activities are daunting, however Hurley’s steadfast dedication to UConn means that he sees these obstacles as alternatives for additional development and innovation.

Because the Lakers navigate their subsequent steps, the basketball world watches with bated breath. The seek for a brand new head coach is a crucial juncture for the franchise, one that may form its future for years to return.

Hurley’s alternative to remain at UConn serves as a reminder that in sports activities, as in life, the trail of loyalty and legacy usually results in essentially the most profound success.

Hurley’s resolution echoes with a deep sense of goal and path, a beacon for all who attempt to realize greatness whereas staying true to their roots.

For UConn, it’s a continuation of a unprecedented journey. For the Lakers, it is a new chapter of their relentless pursuit of excellence.

Listed here are 5 issues to find out about College of Connecticut basketball coach Dan Hurley.