UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley told ESPN that the Los Angeles Lakers made a “compelling case”
and presented a “compelling vision” for him to become the franchise’s next coach but that he loves what he has built with the two-time defending national champion Huskies — and plans to make a decision on his future Monday.
In a phone interview Sunday, Hurley told ESPN that he left “extremely impressed” with Lakers VP and GM Rob Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss and had been spending Sunday weighing what sources tell ESPN is a massive, long-term offer to move to the NBA.
Hurley traveled to Los Angeles on Thursday night, met with the Lakers on Friday and returned east on Saturday morning, Hurley said.
The Lakers’ pursuit of Hurley accelerated in recent days after Hurley informed his administration Wednesday and his players Thursday of the talks with the Lakers. UConn has won back-to-back NCAA titles — including a record 12 straight double-digit tournament victories — and has a top-five team returning next season.
Hurley has been at the forefront of the Lakers’ search from the beginning of the process, even while the organization has done its due diligence interviewing several other candidates, sources said. Only New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego had two in-person interviews in Los Angeles, sources said.
Pelinka and Buss formally discussed with Hurley their vision of marrying his dominant program — built upon both his tactical acumen and elite player development — with the storied Lakers brand.
