It was revealed that the Los Angeles Lakers had been seeking UConn men’s basketball head coach Dan Hurley the entire time, despite weeks of rumors and conjecture that JJ Redick was the front-runner for the head coaching position. Hurley, who guided UConn to their second consecutive national championship, has become one of the top basketball coaches in the nation.
Although he currently works very well at UConn, the opportunity to lead the biggest brand in the NBA may be alluring to the coach. Hurley reportedly met with his players and acknowledged that he has been in communication with the Lakers, but nothing concrete is expected, according to a June 6 X post from FOX Sports’ John Fanta.
The Lakers’ ability to conceal this information for such a long time is intriguing, but the secret is now out. Los Angeles might just be waiting for Hurley to make up his mind because it seems like they are all in on him. For the Lakers, this would be quite the coup. Initially, it appeared as though they would be selecting a former player with no prior coaching experience rather than the most sought-after coaching prospect now active in the basketball world.
Given that UConn also boasts Geno Auriemma, who is likely the finest women’s college basketball coach, Hurley has emerged as the best men’s college basketball coach, which is quite an accomplishment. The two have been dating for a while, and Auriemma disclosed that, although he was unaware that the two were in communication, he had already informed Hurley he would be a fantastic fit for the Lakers position.
“I was at an event with him last night, so this is really funny,” Auriemma remarked during the June 6 episode of “Dan Patrick Show.” “I just leaned over and said, ‘Hey, I think you could win a lot of championships with the Lakers, more so than a guy who’s never coached.'” I have no idea what’s going on, where this is heading, or what’s happening. We had a nice chuckle when he simply nodded and glanced at me. When I woke up this morning, it was all over. Thus, I’m not sure what’s happening.
There are plenty of really successful college basketball coaches that tried their luck in the NBA and were unsuccessful. Hurley has never been a coach or player in the NBA, so it would be a significant adjustment.
But he has a sharp basketball mind, so he ought to be able to adjust to the professional game. Fanta claims that for the time being, he is undecided about what to do.
Fanta stated in a June 6 column, “A source tells FOX Sports that Hurley is ‘truly at a 50-50’ in weighing his decision whether to stay in the college game and try to achieve something unthinkable in the modern era or make the leap up for LeBron James and the Lakers.”
Hurley is comfortable at UConn and has developed a strong program, but if he’s looking for a fresh challenge, joining a franchise like the Lakers would be a logical next step. Although it would be risky, winning with the Lakers would greatly enhance his reputation.
Be the first to comment