With the UConn deal completed, Dan Hurley’s focus is back squarely on the court

STORRS, Conn. — Even with a contract that would make him one of the highest-paid college basketball coaches in the country, UConn’s Dan Hurley never let his thoughts stray from taking him to the top of the men’s college basketball world.

About a month after declining to become head coach of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, Hurley agreed to a six-year, $50 million contract through the 2029-30 season. He will receive $6.375 million next season in addition to his $400,000 base annual salary.

“It’s not something I obsess over,” Hurley said Tuesday. “If anything, I dragged my feet because I didn’t want to see it or read it or deal with it. We focused so much on the basketball part but it’s over.”

Keeping his assistant coaches on staff and dealing with current aspects of college sports were part of the new contract signed by the 51-year-old Hurley.

Hurley knows that Tom Moore, Luke Murray and Kimani Young are just as responsible as he is for UConn winning national titles.

“It’s hard to put together a staff because there aren’t a lot of people who can work for me, just the intensity of how we run our business and the way we run our program, it’s a different level of intensity.” Hurley said. “I’m strict with those who play for me and work for me, I’m demanding so it’s always difficult for me to recruit people.”

Hurley was quick to credit David Benedict, UConn’s athletics director, for taking care of the way he has worked since hiring Hurley.

“Dave is as responsible as we are for where we are,” Hurley said. “DB has been a good partner. We’ve had these conversations about the changing landscape of college basketball, the revenue sharing that’s coming down the road here, the TV deals and being able to leverage and maximize our brand. Our brand is at the top of college basketball and our basketball excellence is both ways here. There is, how can we make the most of it so that we don’t fall behind.

“You want to be so focused on your work that you can achieve more in your career. He’s always done that.

“He’s provided us with resources and does what we need to do to give us the resources to compete at the top.”

Four of UConn’s starters were selected in the recent NBA draft, with Alex Karaban the Huskies only returning starter.

Hurley said freshman Liam McNeely, who is currently dealing with an ankle injury, is “as ready as any freshman in Assam.”

Hurley believes he has a roster that can compete for a third straight national title.

“We’re at a similar talent level to what the group looked like (from last season),” Hurley said. “You can see some real potential there.”