Dan Hurley Chooses UConn Over Lakers' $70 Million Coaching Offer

Dan Hurley has reportedly declined the Los Angeles Lakers' head coaching position. Hurley, who has secured consecutive collegiate national championships at UConn, turned down a six-year, $70 million contract to coach the Lakers, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The deal would have placed him among the NBA's highest-paid coaches. UConn is now planning to make him the highest-paid collegiate coach.

BREAKING: Connecticut's Dan Hurley has turned down the Los Angeles Lakers' six-year, $70 million offer and will return to chase a third straight national title, sources tell ESPN. LA would have made him one of NBA's six highest-paid coaches. pic.twitter.com/hEXo3o00SR

Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 10, 2024

Hurley was reportedly the Lakers' top choice for their head coaching vacancy following the firing of Darvin Ham after the team was eliminated from the playoffs in the first round. The role of head coach for the Lakers is one of the most high-profile basketball jobs globally and includes coaching LeBron James, one of the sport's greatest players. However, Hurley will remain at UConn, where he has achieved a 68-11 record over the past two seasons with two championships.

By staying at UConn, Hurley will now attempt to achieve something that has only been done once before: winning three consecutive men's national titles. UCLA is the only men's program to accomplish this feat, winning seven in a row from 1967-73. Hurley has led the Huskies to a 141-58 record in his six seasons at UConn. He signed a $32.1 million, six-year deal a year ago after leading the program to the 2023 national title.

Future Prospects for Lakers

With Hurley no longer in consideration, TV analyst and former player JJ Redick and New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego are reportedly top candidates for the Lakers' head coaching position.