Dan Hurley on Choosing UConn over the Lakers: "I Didn't Need Leverage

UConn men's basketball coach Dan Hurley explains his decision to reject a lucrative offer from the Los Angeles Lakers, stating that he already had a deal in place with UConn and did not need to use the Lakers' offer as leverage.

UConn men's basketball head coach Dan Hurley has broken his silence on his decision to turn down a six-year contract offer from the Los Angeles Lakers, stating emphatically that he did not use the Lakers' offer to gain leverage with UConn.

"One of the worst takes I've heard is that this is a leverage play by me to improve my situation at UConn," Hurley declared during an appearance on "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz." "I don't need leverage here. We've won back-to-back national championships at this place. This was never a leverage situation for me."

Hurley revealed that he had already agreed to a new contract with UConn before he declined the Lakers' offer, putting to rest any speculation that he was simply using the Lakers' interest to secure a better deal with his current employer. "I've had a contract in place here for a couple of weeks," Hurley said. "And the final part, in terms of salary, has been done for a while. There are some other parts, like NIL and staff salary and some different things, that I want adjusted and I'm not comfortable with. But the sense of the idea that this was some conspiracy to get me a sweeter deal at UConn is just, it's lazy."

Hurley admitted that meeting with the Lakers, including team owner Jeanie Buss and general manager Rob Pelinka, was a difficult decision. "It was a gut-wrenching decision for me," he said. "Sunday night, going into Monday, where I kind of had a deadline in my mind, I was torn, and I did not know really what I was going to do until I went to bed."

However, Hurley ultimately decided to stay at UConn, where he has led the Huskies to back-to-back national championships. "To leave a place that you feel the way we do and the family connection with my wife, my sons, my mother-in-law, my father. ... I know how much it means to my dad to go to the Big East tournament and come to 10 UConn games a year at home, sitting courtside when I'm coaching against Rick Pitino. To leave all of that behind, there probably is a number."

Hurley praised the support he has received from UConn officials, including athletic director David Benedict, on and off the court. "The administration here has been incredible," Hurley said. "They've always supported me. They've always given me the resources that we need. They've always been there for my family. They've always been there for my staff. And I think that's really important for a coach."

Hurley's decision to stay at UConn is a major boost for the program, which has established itself as a national powerhouse under his leadership. Hurley has led the Huskies to an impressive 91-36 record in three seasons, including an undefeated 2024 season that culminated in a national championship. With Hurley at the helm, UConn is poised to continue its success in the years to come.