Coach K, Who Refused to Take Phil Jackson’s Job as Lakers HC, Reveals Why Dan Hurley Followed His Footsteps

Remember the last couple of months when the entire NBA community was trying to figure out who the next Lakers HC would be? Everyone was speculating it will either be JJ Redick or Dan Hurley. But then, the 51-year-old sent shockwaves by declining the $70 million offer and staying put at UConn. While Hurley did try to explain what happened, Mike Krzyzewski A. K. A Coach K tried to reveal the possible reasons behind Hurley’s steps. And who better than him? After all, he too turned down the Lakers coaching job back in 2004.

On the latest episode of The Rich Eisen Show, Krzyzewski praised Dan Hurley for his commitment to his roots and the sport. “One is he understood his commitment to Connecticut and what a great institution and program that Jim Calhoun started there, and it’s continued. I think he likes that challenge and loves college and I think he really loves the East Coast… I think the commitment to the game was part of the reason that he stayed. He is one of the leaders right now for college basketball, maybe the top leader”. 

Coach K also had very similar reasons for declining the Lakers’ offer. After a disappointing Finals defeat against the Detroit Pistons, coach Phil Jackson parted ways with the Lakers. And Coach K, who had won three championships on his Duke stint, was the hot buzz in the NBA world to pick up the job. However, he reportedly declined a $40 million offer, reasoning, “Your heart has to be in whatever you lead.” 

Coach K listened to his heart and stuck with the blue devils, as he said, “It became apparent that this decision was somewhat easier to make because you have to follow your heart and lead with it and Duke has always taken up my whole heart.”

What was Dan Hurley’s actual reason to decline the Lakers’ offer?

When LeBron James began a podcast show alongside JJ Redick, it created massive waves in the NBA world. Notably, veteran analyst Stephen A. Smith accused the superstar of making his moves to get Redick the job. Out of nowhere, Dan Hurley came into the picture and almost stripped of Redick’s golden opportunity to enter the league once again.

After a quiet bit of drama, Hurley backed out. When asked about the reason behind his refusal, he said he had too many reasons to stay with UConn. Moreover, Hurley took some shots at the media, saying, “One of the worst takes I’ve heard is that this is a leverage play by me to improve my situation at UConn. I don’t need leverage here. We’ve won back-to-back national championships at this place. This was never a leverage situation for me.”

The 51-year-old certainly seemed committed to the college team, just like how Coach K continued to coach Duke until he retired in 2022. Will Dan Hurley change his mind and enter the league in the future? Let us know in the comments.

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