Why is Dan Hurley turning down the Lakers to stay at UConn? It may be surprising, but it makes sense

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported last week that the Los Angeles Lakers have targeted UConn’s Dan Hurley as their next head coach, two months after he led the Huskies to their second straight national title and sixth championship in 25 years. Twenty years ago, the Lakers made a similar offer to Mike Krzyzewski, who turned down the offer to stay at Duke. The franchise received the same response from Hurley on Monday.

The UConn Huskies coach announced that he has decided to remain in Storrs, Connecticut, and continue his quest for a third straight NCAA title and the spoils of recognition as the best coach in men’s college basketball. Lakers owner Jeanie Buss negotiated deals with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Phil Jackson and other noteworthy basketball figures. But the franchise failed to lure Hurley from his coveted position in the college ranks, leading to disappointment for the Lakers and a huge development for the future of UConn men’s basketball.

Myron Medcalf and Jeff Borzello explain why Hurley is staying, what he means for UConn’s three-peat chances and more.

How surprised are you that Hurley stayed at UConn?

Borzello: I’m amazed from the standpoint that the Lakers are one of the most iconic clubs in American sports, led by one of the greatest players to ever play basketball. Had he made his decision shortly after meeting with Lakers executives and owners, it would have been astonishing to see him say no. But once he returned to the East Coast and the decision-making process began to wind down to Sunday and then to Monday, it became less surprising to see him stay at UConn. It’s very hard to say “I’m leaving” when you have to go into the practice facility — with UConn Legends jerseys on the walls and national championship trophies in the lobby — and tell the team you built to chase a third straight title.

Medcalf: I would have been more surprised on Friday or Saturday. But I’m not surprised now that I know he was offered a six-year, $70 million deal. Yes, it’s a big offer, but I’m not the least bit surprised considering the Lakers didn’t put a massive eight-figure deal on the table. However, it was an opportunity to coach one of the sports franchises, a team that future Hall of Famers Davis and James may lead next season. I’m also not sure how high Hurley can go at UConn after all his success. But I think he can be authentic at UConn in ways he can’t be in the NBA. However, it is the Lakers. Few have ever turned down an offer from a Buss family member, so it’s surprising.

Statement from UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley: pic.twitter.com/16e77ykbVp

– UConn Men’s Basketball (@UConnMBB) June 10, 2024

What does this mean for UConn’s chances of getting a three-peat?

Borzello: The hunt for something that hasn’t been done in over 50 years in men’s college basketball is officially back. Had Hurley left, UConn likely would have been left with a first-time head coach and a depleted roster. It could have been a season full of question marks and a season full of uncertainty. Instead, the UConn program and its fan base will be more motivated than ever. Hurley was already a legend for the Huskies. Two national titles will do that for you. But now that Kentucky and the Los Angeles Lakers have rejected him? The fan base will support him to the fullest extent. With Alex Karaban back and Liam McNeeley and Aidan Mahaney coming into the fold, there’s a top-five list for Storrs. Hurley is also back to lead the way.

Medcalf: Makes it real. Karapan withdrew from the NBA and returned to UConn to ignite a run that had not been achieved since John Wooden’s UCLA teams of the 1960s and 1970s. Only a few teams win back-to-back titles, but UConn has a real chance. However, Kansas appears to have the best team in the country entering the season. Alabama is also primed for another run in the Final Four. Houston, North Carolina, Duke, Iowa State and other legitimate contenders. But Caraban, along with McNeely, a top-10 recruit, and Mahaney, a Saint Mary’s transfer, could lead this program to its seventh national title in 26 years and a recent stretch unprecedented in the history of men’s college basketball.

What is the biggest question mark for the Huskies?

Borzello: Over the past two years, UConn has dominated opponents in a number of ways. The Huskies beat them in the paint on both ends of the floor, received high-level play when it mattered, and seamlessly integrated newcomers into a core group of returning players. All of these things are, to say the least, up in the air right now. Hassan Diarra will have to replace Tristen Newton at point guard. Donovan Clingan replaced Adama Sanogo last season and UConn is better inside. Can Samson Johnson and Tarice Reid replicate this production? And will UConn’s freshmen and transfers hit the floor running Stephon Castle and Cam Spencer? McNeely and Mahaney will have a lot on their shoulders from day one.

The Huskies offense is the other thing to keep an eye on. It was going beautifully last season, the roster was full of shooting and unselfishness, and every player knew his role. It may take some time to reach this level again.

Medcalf: It’s the same question Hurley’s team faced a year ago: How do you replace lost talent? Clingan and Castle are expected to be selected in the NBA draft this summer. Newton, the NCAA Tournament’s most decorated player, is also gone. Overall, four of the team’s top five scorers have left. Entering last season, three of their top five scorers were back in the 2022-23 national title race.

But Hurley also has players, like Samson Johnson, who have been waiting for their opportunities to shine. He has serious talent and some veterans, like Diarra, are on the roster as well. Additionally, Hurley has proven that he knows how to hit the reset button. However, the loss of elite talent is undeniable.

What does the future look like at UConn if Hurley stays long term?

Borzello: Since Hurley turned down the biggest job in college basketball and one of the biggest franchises in the sport within two months, it appears he will remain in Storrs for the foreseeable future. Had he left, concerns about UConn’s fragile standing in the changing college sports landscape may have become more serious. Since the Big East is not one of football’s major conferences, there are questions about how it will keep up with the revenue-sharing model. The league simply doesn’t have the TV money of the Big Ten and SEC. But Hurley staying is a statement about his confidence in UConn’s ability to compete at the highest level. It’s not a bad recruiting tool either.

Medcalf: Many people compared this to Krzyzewski’s decision to return to Duke after the Lakers offered him a blockbuster deal 20 years ago, but Coach K returned to a different collegiate landscape. Every team in the country now has to rebuild every season due to the proliferation of the transfer portal. Unknowns regarding revenue sharing may also complicate this ambition. Hurley, now, can walk into the home of any recruiter in the country and tell him he turned down both Kentucky and the Lakers in the same season.

But future revenue-sharing models will favor the richest schools in the richest leagues. UConn has been a candidate for potential expansion efforts through power conferences in the past, and the school’s move in the coming years could have implications for men’s basketball and the rest of the athletic department. If the school stays in the Big East, the Huskies could face a disadvantage without the TV money those schools enjoy.

Hurley can continue to build winners from pedigree, legacy and reputation. However, the next decade could prove that these elements mean less than they ever did, which could complicate Hurley’s reign.

Who could be the next college coach to get an NBA offer and why?

Medcalf: I’ll pick Nate Oats, who assembled an Alabama Crimson Tide team with national title aspirations in 2024-2025. His style fits with the modern NBA approach to the game. All his players are diverse. He doesn’t believe in mid-range shots and is committed to the idea that a great offense will beat a good defense. Oats could make a smooth transition – on paper – to the NBA because of the way he approaches the game. He also has enough personality to manage that element of transition as well.

Borzello: I’m with Myron on this. Oats has developed arguably the most modern offense in major-league basketball over the past few years, completely eliminating average jumpers and focusing on spacing the floor and shooting a ton of 3-pointers and shots at the rim. From an X and O standpoint and from a character standpoint, he makes more sense as someone who can make that leap. One other name that comes to mind is Tommy Lloyd from Arizona. Sources who watched Lloyd coach USA Basketball at the U18 Basketball America’s Cup this month were impressed with his ability to potentially coach at the next level.