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USA Today via Reuters
Apr 8, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley celebrates after winning the national championship game of the Final Four of the 2024 NCAA Tournament against the Purdue Boilermakers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-04-09T042251Z_271444075_MT1USATODAY22978905_RTRMADP_3_NCAA-BASKETBALL-FINAL-FOUR-NATIONAL-CHAMPIONSHIP.jpg?width=600)
USA Today via Reuters
Apr 8, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley celebrates after winning the national championship game of the Final Four of the 2024 NCAA Tournament against the Purdue Boilermakers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Dan Hurley had given the basketball world a last chance to hire him before UConn gave him another go. And looks like the LA Lakers have heard. After his consecutive National Championship win with UConn’s MBB program, Hurley had disclosed how he rejected many offers, including from the Arizona Wildcats. However, seems like he is giving some serious consideration to going one step ahead of his brother and father and becoming a professional coach.
But will the winning culture of UConn translate into the NBA? Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner discuss what it would be like to have a Hurley in one of the most popular sporting leagues in the world.
Recently, the Golden State Warriors legend Andre Iguodala shared his views on the news. Talking to Evan Turner on their ‘Point Forward‘ podcast, he said, “I’m actually surprised on this Dan Hurley thing, to be honest. Because I feel like he had such a great presence with young talent and how he is. In the world of amateurism or whatever you wanna call collegiate sports, I feel like he’s actually bringing something that we’ve been lacking especially for the last decade or so with this new NIL world. I’m actually kind of shocked. But, I think he is an incredible coach. I don’t know how to feel to be honest with you.”
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It is not always easy to coach grown-up men. The task only gets tougher when you are in the run for the Los Angeles Lakers. After JJ Redick as the top contender for the job, Dan Hurley has slithered into the talk and just might be the one. However, the Lakers family seems to be ready for the celebrated coach to enter the professional basketball world.
The Coast is already celebrating Dan Hurley
JJ Redick and Dan Hurley had a lot to talk about on the former’s podcast after the coach won his consecutive National title. Who knew another thing they would have in common is the possibility to be the next head coach of the Lakers franchise? While the conversation where Dan Hurley described Storrs as “not the sexiest place” was quite interesting, ‘King James’ response to it won the spotlight.
Apparently then, LeBron James had cheered on the Huskies head coach for his incredible planning to build the team’s offense. He commented, “He’s so DAMN GOOD!!! Along with his staff. Super creative with their O! Love it.”
Loved this part of our convo with Dan Hurley https://t.co/VxzbPCuYvh
— JJ Redick (@jj_redick) April 19, 2024
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Recently, Magic Johnson too shared his opinions on the UConn head coach when talking to Jimmy Kimmel. He said, “I want the coach to be Hurley,” Johnson said. “If we can sign him, I think it works for both. It works for coach Hurley, who won back to back NCAA championships with Connecticut, so he has a championship background. He’s great with offense and defensive strategy. I think that the players will respect him. And he’s tough.”
While Dan Hurley is yet to discuss a final say with Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss, the hints alone have made some impact on the world already. It will be interesting to see whether “the distant Hurley” finds his new home in Los Angeles.
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Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato had to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.