In a recent interview, UConn men's basketball coach Dan Hurley discussed his decision to reject a lucrative offer from the Los Angeles Lakers and stay at UConn. Hurley, who led the Huskies to back-to-back national championships, joined "The Dan Le Batard Show" for his first interview since the big announcement.

Addressing the speculation that he used the Lakers' offer as leverage to secure a better contract at UConn, Hurley emphatically dismissed the notion, calling it one of the "worst takes" he had heard. "I don't need leverage here," exclaimed Hurley, proud of the success he has achieved with UConn's basketball program.

Contrary to reports suggesting a contract negotiation strategy, Hurley described the idea as a "conspiracy" and "lazy." He clarified that a contract had been in place for a couple of weeks, and the financial terms, including salary, had been agreed upon. In 2023, Hurley had already signed a six-year, $32.1 million contract extension after winning his first title.

While content with his contract, Hurley admitted that certain contractual components, such as Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulations and staff salaries, made him uncomfortable. However, he did not elaborate on specific concerns.

Hurley revealed that his contemplation of other job possibilities began on June 3, when he first spoke to his agent. He described the decision to stay or leave as "gut-wrenching." On the morning of June 10, with UConn's scheduled practice looming, Hurley ultimately chose to remain at the college level. He expressed relief, stating that the situation surrounding his potential departure had become a "circus" and had taken a toll on him, his wife, and their two sons.

When asked about the allure of coaching the Lakers, Hurley acknowledged the appeal of the franchise's history and the opportunity to work with superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. While he did not have any conversations with James during the process, Hurley admitted that coaching the NBA star would have been a "thrill."

With his decision to stay at UConn finalized, Hurley can now focus on leading the Huskies in pursuit of a historic three-peat. The last time a college basketball team achieved such a feat was in 1973 when UCLA won three consecutive national championships.

While the details of Hurley's new contract still need to be finalized, fans can be relieved that their successful coach will continue to lead the Huskies' basketball program.