Dan Hurley – Makes ‘Compelling Case’ to Be Lakers Head Coach

UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley told ESPN that the Los Angeles Lakers made a “compelling case” and presented a “compelling vision” for him to be the franchise’s next coach, but he likes what he’s built at two-time national champion UConn. — and plans to make a decision on his future on Monday.

In a phone interview Sunday, Hurley told ESPN he was “extremely impressed” with Lakers VP and GM Rob Pelinka and owner Genie Buss and was spending Sunday understanding what sources told ESPN is a huge, long-term offer to move to the NBA. .

Hurley traveled to Los Angeles Thursday night, met with the Lakers on Friday and returned east Saturday morning, Hurley said.

The Lakers’ pursuit of Hurley accelerated in recent days after Hurley notified his administration on Wednesday and his players on Thursday of negotiations with the Lakers. UConn has won back-to-back NCAA titles — including a record 12 consecutive double-digit tournament wins — and is returning a top-five team next season.

Hurley has been at the forefront of the Lakers’ search since the beginning of the process, even as the organization has done due diligence to interview other candidates, sources said. Only New Orleans assistant James Borrego had two in-person interviews in Los Angeles, sources said.

Pelinka and Bass formally discussed with Hurley their vision of marrying his dominant program — built on both his strategic acumen and elite player development — with the storied Lakers brand.

Hurley, 51, has often expressed his ambition to one day coach in the NBA and traveled to L.A. to explore the full picture of a partnership with basketball’s winningest franchise.

Hurley’s pursuit comes on the 20th anniversary of Duke’s attempt to recruit Mike Krzyzewski to a record-breaking contract in 2004. NIL fundraising demands are an especially relentless grind for non-power football schools like UConn — and it’s expected to get tougher.

As for Lakers stars, LeBron James has been impressed with Hurley’s sophisticated offensive work, and assuming he returns to LA in free agency, the prospect of using the 55th overall draft pick on USC freshman guard Brony James makes Hurley an even more attractive candidate. . If that happens, LeBron James gets to play with his son and benefit from Hurley and his staff responsible for Brony James’ pro development.

In a social media post responding to a podcast interview with JJ Redick, James posted on Hurley’s X: “He’s so good!

The Lakers are committed to making All-NBA forward Anthony Davis an important part of the conversation for the next head coach and want to make sure he integrates with how a new coach plans to show him on both offense and defense, sources said.

The Lakers have had conversations with other candidates over the past few weeks, but the possibility of landing Hurley has been the focus of the Lakers’ search, sources said.

Hurley is part of the changing landscape of NBA roster building under the collective bargaining agreement. Due to the roster-building restrictions imposed by the new second apron, the ability of big-market teams to build contending rosters by trading multiple draft picks and young players for a third star player is largely eliminated. Beyond the 17th overall pick in this month’s draft, the Lakers have a young core of Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Max Christie that management believes can show even more improvement under Hurley’s coaching, sources said.

After historically dominant back-to-back national title seasons, Hurley has emerged as the most coveted coach in sports — and his prospect of leaving UConn and the Big East Conference for the Lakers has huge implications for both college basketball and the NBA. . Hurley produced a juggernaut that lapped the sport — the NCAA’s first repeat champion in 17 years and a tournament performance that produced the largest point differential in tournament history — 140 points.

UConn’s chances for a third straight title are strong with a top-five team returning in the preseason, but the Huskies lose two potential lottery picks (center Donovan Klingan and guard Stephon Cassel) and a first-team All-American point guard. (Tristen Newton) in the NBA draft.

The Lakers fired coach Derwin Hamm after a first-round exit in the Western Conference playoffs. Hamer was 94-70 in two seasons, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2023.

Hurley is 141-58 (.709) in six seasons as the UConn coach. The son of Naismith Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley Sr. — for whom Hurley played at famed St. Anthony High School in Jersey City, New Jersey — Dan Hurley spent nine years as the high school coach at St. Benedict’s Prep before quickly rebuilding college programs at Wagner and Rhode Island. His older brother, Bobby, is the head coach at Arizona State.