In a surprising turn of events, Dan Hurley has announced that he will be staying at the University of Connecticut (UConn) despite receiving a substantial offer from the Los Angeles Lakers. Hurley, who recently led the UConn Huskies to back-to-back NCAA championships, has turned down a six-year, $70 million deal with the Lakers, according to multiple reports.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news, revealing that Hurley's decision to remain at UConn was driven by his desire to pursue a third consecutive national title. The offer from the Lakers would have made Hurley one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA, but he chose the opportunity to continue building a championship culture with the Huskies.

UConn Men's Basketball confirmed Hurley's decision through a statement on Monday, where Hurley expressed his pride in the championship culture he has developed at UConn. The team's focus now shifts towards improving in the offseason and strengthening their bond as they aim for more championships.

This development comes after last week's reports of the Lakers' interest in hiring Hurley as their head coach. The Lakers had reportedly prepared a lucrative contract to secure his services, hoping for a deep playoff run in the upcoming season. Hurley even traveled to Los Angeles last week to meet with the Lakers and discuss the potential deal before returning to the East Coast.

In his deliberation, Hurley acknowledged that the Lakers presented a "compelling case" and a "compelling vision." However, his pride in the accomplishments he has achieved with UConn ultimately swayed his decision.

With Hurley opting to stay at UConn, the Lakers are now set to consider other candidates for their head coaching position. They aim to find a new coach before the NBA Draft, which is scheduled for June 26.

Hurley's tenure at UConn has been marked by success. After successful stints at Wagner and Rhode Island, he has thrived at the helm of the Huskies' basketball program. Under his leadership, UConn surprised everyone by winning the NCAA championship in 2023 and followed it up with another dominant season in 2023-2024. This past season, Hurley led the team to a Big East regular season title, a Big East tournament title, and a seamless run through the NCAA tournament, ultimately earning him the prestigious 2024 Naismith Coach of the Year award.

In his six seasons at UConn, Hurley has established an impressive 141-58 record, contributing to his overall coaching record of 292-163. With his decision to stay, Hurley affirms his commitment to UConn and their pursuit of continued success on the national stage.