Dan Hurley signs bumper new UConn contract after turning down the LA Lakers… and full details reveal the HUGE pay cut he is taking to stay
UConn coach Dan Hurley has signed a six-year, $50 million contract that will keep him with the team after turning down a huge offer from the Los Angeles Lakers.
Hurley was the top target for the NBA giants and was heavily in talks to take over, but he ultimately opted to return to college to make another attempt at the national championship.
Now, all the details of his contract with UConn reveal the full extent of the pay cut he took to stay in Connecticut.
Hurley was offered a six-year, $70 million deal to move to Los Angeles and coach LeBron James and Co., meaning he will earn $20 million less over the next six seasons.
The deal Hurley signed also includes a series of undisclosed benefits, which would give him a significant pay increase.
One of those potential bonuses is expected to be winning another national championship, after Hurley led UConn to back-to-back March Madness titles.
UConn defeated Purdue 75-60 this season at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, and the year before, the team defeated San Diego State 76-59 in Houston, Texas.
Hurley’s decision to turn down the Lakers and stay at UConn came as a major shock to the basketball world.
The 51-year-old’s previous contract, signed in 2023, was a six-year, $32.1 million deal, meaning his new terms represent a significant increase.
He has never coached in the NBA and has been the Huskies’ coach since 2018.
Although Hurley ultimately turned down the offer from the 17-time NBA champion Lakers, he admitted he was flattered by their interest.
“I am humbled by this entire experience,” Hurley said in a statement when he broke his silence on his decision last month.
“At the end of the day, I am extremely proud of the championship culture we have built at Connecticut. We met as a team for today’s practice and our focus now is on improving this summer and connecting as a team as we continue to pursue championships.”
News of Hurley’s decision to disown the Lakers was first reported by ESPNwho claimed he would be among the NBA’s six highest-paid coaches in Los Angeles.
The Lakers instead opted to lead the team into a new era with JJ Redick, the co-host of LeBron’s podcast. The team also drafted Bronny last month.