With UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley out west, meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers top brass about the historic franchise’s head coaching vacancy, Gov. Ned Lamont told reporters in Hartford he wants the two-time national champion coach to stay, but he must do what is best for his family.
“We love Dan Hurley. Connecticut loves him,” Lamont said at the state Capitol complex in Hartford. “The players love him. UConn loves him. But he’s got to do what’s right for his family as well.”
The Lakers are reportedly preparing to offer Hurley at least $100 million guaranteed, Fox Sports’ John Fanta reported Friday on the Zach Gelb Show. Fanta also reported Thursday night that UConn has put a competitive offer on the table for an extension that would make Hurley one of the highest-paid coaches in college basketball after he led the program to a second-consecutive national championship.
Who could replace Dan Hurley? UConn’s options could be limited this time of year
The pieces are in place for the Huskies to compete for a third-consecutive national championship, something no men’s program has done in more than 50 years, but Hurley must decide between that history and an intriguing opportunity to earn generational wealth in Hollywood.
Concerning the future, Lamont said, “Obviously, we would love to have him back. He means so much to the state.”
Hurley, who became the state’s highest-paid employee when he signed a six-year, $32.1 million extension after the 2023 national championship, is expected to come to a decision by the end of the weekend.
