Dan Hurley will continue at UConn to chase their third consecutive NCAA title

Los Angeles Lakers gave Dan Hurley what appeared to be a basketball coach's dream: the opportunity to coach one of the world's most popular organizations, maybe with LeBron James, and a salary that would have twice his present one. 

He's remaining at Connecticut, he stated Monday, rejecting the Lakers and resolving three days of uncertainty about his future. The allure of attempting to win a third consecutive NCAA title with the Huskies was just too powerful.

According to AP News, “Our MVP Coach is staying in CT,” Gov. Ned Lamont posted on social media.

ESPN was the first to announce Dan Hurley's decision, as well as his status as a serious candidate for the Lakers position last week. Hurley visited with Lakers executives in Los Angeles on Friday, including owner Jeanie Buss and general manager Rob Pelinka, before spending the weekend considering his choices. 

“I am humbled by this entire experience,” Hurley said in a statement distributed by UConn. “At the end of the day, I am extremely proud of the championship culture we have built at Connecticut. We met as a team before today’s workout and our focus right now is getting better this summer and connecting as a team as we continue to pursue championships.”

Dan Hurley to get highly rewarded for sticking at UConn

The word came on Monday. The Huskies practiced Monday afternoon, and before that session in Storrs, Connecticut, Hurley delivered the message that the players — and arguably every basketball fan in the state — wanted to hear. The NBA can wait.

Hurley is expected to be highly rewarded for sticking at UConn. Lamont, who communicated with Hurley over the weekend, told reporters Monday that the state will "make sure he's the top-paid college coach." Hurley signed a six-year, $32.1 million contract a year ago when the Huskies won the 2023 NCAA title, and another big agreement appears to be imminent.