Dan Hurley’s future in college basketball stretches across roughly 3,000 miles, reaching from Los Angeles to Storrs, Connecticut. This all began around the time the Lakers started their season last year.
The UConn men’s basketball coach isn’t considering a repeat of the drama surrounding head coach Tom Thibodeau’s situation with the Knicks.
“It’s not that summer,” Hurley mentioned on Tuesday evening. It seems he has no intention of moving to Madison Square Garden to take over Thibodeau’s role.
Insiders from UConn appear relaxed about Hurley’s commitment, dismissing any talk of him jumping to the NBA. This is also supported by sources from the New Haven Register.
There were whispers that the Knicks could be a dream job for the two-time championship coach, given his Jersey City roots and his time at Seton Hall. Speculation increased when he turned down a substantial offer from the Lakers, worth six years and $70 million.
Hurley had signed a six-year, $50 million contract extension with UConn last year, ensuring his place through the 2029 season.
Instead of pondering if he might lead a team full of past Villanova players, the 52-year-old is concentrating on UConn’s roster for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
“Not everyone is on campus for these two practice days, but we’re looking forward to how we can make it work,” Hurley expressed during his conversation.
In the college coaching landscape, Hurley’s Connecticut ties are a distinct advantage compared to the pressure often faced in the NBA.
Following reports on coach Tom Thibodeau’s challenges with the Knicks
Thibodeau led the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years, transforming the franchise from a laughingstock into a contender, yet it wasn’t enough to keep him in the position.
Not every coach is eager to take on that kind of expectation.
Meanwhile, Hurley hasn’t been under similar scrutiny, especially after a challenging season where the Huskies exited the NCAA Tournament in the second round while chasing a third consecutive championship.
If race wasn’t a factor, speculations about former Villanova coach Jay Wright’s interest in the position seem unlikely.
John Calipari, the Arkansas coach and former Kentucky leader, has been mentioned as a potential candidate, largely due to his connections with Knicks President Leon Rose and front office executive William Wesley.
