Dan Hurley, head coach of the Connecticut Huskies, was recently coaching during the national championship game against the Purdue Boilermakers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Hurley now faces a tough decision about his future, with a final choice potentially coming sooner rather than later.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Hurley is planning to make a decision about whether to stay at UConn or become the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers as soon as Monday. The Lakers have reportedly made a compelling case to Hurley and presented a compelling vision for the team.
Hurley has achieved great success with the two-time defending national champions, the UConn Huskies, winning back-to-back NCAA championships. Despite the Lakers making an appealing offer, Hurley is proud of what he has built with the Huskies and must weigh his options carefully.
Hurley recently traveled to L.A. to meet with the Lakers and discuss a potential deal. He was impressed with Lakers VP and GM Rob Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss, who are reportedly offering a substantial contract to keep Hurley in Los Angeles long-term. If Hurley decides to join the NBA, he would replace Darvin Ham, who was recently fired after two seasons with the Lakers.
The Lakers have struggled since winning the NBA championship in 2020, facing early playoff eliminations and missing the postseason entirely in 2022. The team hopes that Hurley, a proven champion, will provide the spark needed for a deep postseason run in the upcoming season. Hurley’s decision could have a significant impact on both UConn and the Lakers moving forward.