Dan Hurley’s Rumored Rejection of Lakers HC Contract Celebrated by UConn Players

Andrew PetersJune 10, 2024

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Dan Hurley is reportedly staying with UConn after rejecting the Los Angeles Lakers’ offer to replace Darvin Ham as head coach.

Hurley, who has been with the Huskies since 2018, is fresh off his second consecutive NCAA championship and “couldn’t walk away” from the opportunity to lead UConn to a third, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported.

After the rumors of Hurley’s return, a handful of current Huskies expressed their excitement about having their coach back.

Alex Karaban @AlexKaraban😃 pic.twitter.com/zmLgiOpdKA

Tarris”Big Hoss” Reed Jr. @TarrisReedJr🙏🏾🙏🏾

liammcneeley @liammcneeley30pic.twitter.com/kMfnk7XwVQ

Evan Rodriguez @EvanRodriguezCTLoving the IG stories from Ahmad Nowell and Hassan Diarra following the Dan Hurley news (via ahmadnowell0/IG; d.has5/IG)

Btw, that Ahmad photo is easily one of my favorite flics I’ve ever taken 📸 pic.twitter.com/6P0VsIBxAx

A former player, Rip Hamilton, and assistant coach Luke Murray also chimed in.

CUE THE MUSIC @Cue_the_Music🗣️A message from Rip Hamilton #UConn https://t.co/xP7HV4Fgub pic.twitter.com/RLRBO02J0R

Luke Murray @CoachLukeMurraypic.twitter.com/lO8jJhv8lt

Hurley reportedly turned down a sizeable offer, as Wojnarowski reported the Lakers were prepared to give him a six-year, $70 million contract that would have made him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA.

But UConn came with a sizeable offer to keep him with the Huskies. The Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman reported that UConn gave Hurley a six-year deal worth around $50 million.

While his contract to remain with UConn isn’t as lucrative as the Lakers’ deal would have been, Hurley has the chance to make history and become the first head coach to win three consecutive championships since UCLA’s John Wooden won seven straight from 1967 to 1973.

Hurley will have to navigate the 2024-25 season without star players Donovan Clingan and Stephon Castle—both of whom are projected to be top-10 picks in the NBA draft by Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman—but the Huskies still have a talented roster heading into the year.

Highlighting that roster is Alex Karaban, who pulled out of the NBA draft to return to UConn. Karaban averaged 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game last season and is looking to lead the Huskies to glory again this season.

Joining Karaban is Tarris Reed Jr., a transfer from Michigan, and Liam McNeeley, a 5-star prospect and the No. 17 player in the nation according to 247Sports Composite.

It’s safe to say those three are happy to have Hurley coming back to UConn, and they’ll look to reward his decision with a championship.