Dan Hurley Stays At UConn, Turns Down Lakers

Dan Hurley has turned down the opportunity to be the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers to remain at UConn, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Monday.

Dan Hurley Turns Down Lakers To Stay At UConn

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’ve made him one of NBA’s six highest paid coaches. pic.twitter.com/hEXo3o00SR

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 10, 2024

In a huge win for college basketball, Hurley has opted to remain at UConn and attempt to win a third consecutive national championship.

The Lakers offered Hurley a six-year, $70 million contract to become their next head coach. That would have made Hurley the sixth-highest-paid coach in the NBA.

Hurley told Wojnarowski that the Lakers made a “compelling case” for him to be their next head coach.

Ultimately, Hurley will remain in Storrs for at least one more season. Hurley signed a six-year, $32.1 million deal after the 2022–2023 season. Wojnarowski's report states UConn will continue working with Hurley on a contract extension to make him one of the highest-paid NCAA coaches.

Hurley now sets his sights on the upcoming college basketball season, where his UConn Huskies will attempt to be the first team since John Wooden's UCLA teams in the 1970s to win three-straight national championships.

What's Next For The Lakers?

After a dogged pursuit of Hurley over past weeks, Lakers will regroup and resume bringing in candidates for interviews with hope of hiring a coach by Draft, sources said. James Borrego is expected to remain part of group and Lakers could do their first formal interview with JJ…

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 10, 2024

With Hurley staying at UConn, the Lakers must pivot as they search for their next head coach.

JJ Redick remains a top candidate for the head coaching position with the Lakers. The organization can now conduct its first formal interview with Redick.

New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego is also expected to be in consideration to be the next Lakers' head coach.

The Lakers fired Darvin Ham following their first-round loss to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference playoffs. Ham went 94-70 in two seasons, highlighted by a Western Conference finals appearance in 2023.