Dan Hurley spoke about his feelings about leaving his position as coach of the Lakers to remain at the University of Connecticut.
The current Huskies coach, a two-time national champion, appeared on “The Dan Le Batard Show” for his first interview since Monday, when he turned down a six-year, $70 million contract offer from the storied NBA team.
“One of the worst perspectives I’ve heard is that this was a play to my advantage to improve my situation at the University of Connecticut,” Hurley said. Said“You don’t need clout here. We won back-to-back national championships here.”
One of the big talking points surrounding Hurley’s decision was his contract, with reports circulating that he purposely looked at NBA prospects to secure a pay raise in Storrs.
But Mr Hurley called the idea a “conspiratorial” and “lazy”.
“The contract has been in place for a few weeks now,” Hurley said during the show, adding that “the financial aspects of my salary have been worked out for some time.”
Hurley signed a six-year, $32.1 million contract extension in 2023 after winning his first title.
However, Hurley noted he is still “not happy” with certain contractual elements such as NIL and staff pay.
As for when he might move pro, Hurley said he first discussed other possible jobs with his agent on June 3, and even going into the morning of June 10 when he ultimately chose to remain at the collegiate level, he said his choice was “heartbreaking.”
Speaking ahead of a scheduled practice at the University of Connecticut on Monday, Hurley said his situation had “gotten out of whack” and “had weighed heavily on me, my wife and my two sons.”
When asked about the appeal of the Lakers, Hurley cited the appeal of the team’s past coaches and the presence of players LeBron James and Anthony Daves.
“It was something I was interested in potentially exploring,” Hurley said.
Additionally, Hurley said he didn’t speak to James throughout the process, but claimed he would have been “thrilled to coach him.”
Hurley’s new contract is still pending, but he can now focus on trying to win three straight championships, something that hasn’t been done in college basketball since UCLA in 1973.
