Dan Hurley pressed for comment on new UConn contract prior to reports linking him to Lakers

Just before rumors began swirling in the wee hours Thursday morning regarding a potential Dan Hurley move to the Lakers, the Connecticut coach offered some interesting comments on his contract situation.

In the spring of 2023, Hurley did just sign a six-year deal worth slightly more than $30 million total which runs through 2029. However, when Kentucky came calling with their deep pockets back in April, Hurley declined, but the offer gave him and his agent another spike of negotiating power with the Huskies, who he’s now taken to back to back titles.

There’s been no word about a new deal for Hurley at UConn, but on Wednesday evening’s coach’s show, he said that contract negotiations aren’t really something on the top of his mind.

“I mean, there’s a lot, it’s complicated,” said Hurley. “You know, there’s a business side of it, which you allow your agent to advise you on. I’m not a businessman. I’m not good at that. I’m a one-trick pony.”

Since Hurley doesn’t like to directly involve himself in such talks, he’d like to get it all over with while he starts building a 2025 team to compete for three straight.

“So, it’s probably taken more time than I think any of us would have liked,” he added. “But it’s not something that’s ever, you know, been a rush for me. When you’ve won back to back championships, you’re not calling your agent and worried about the status of your contract. You’re more worried about recruiting, scheduling.”

One person asked Hurley if he views a new contract and pay raise as a sort of reward for the successes on the court, and he answered:

“Yeah, yeah I think so. You know, you sacrifice a lot to do this job. It’s a high-pressure job. The job beats your ass pretty good and it’s a total commitment.”

Because of that commitment, other facets of Hurley’s life (and other college coaches) must suffer.

“A lot suffers because of it your family, any chance at any type of a social life. It consumes everything that you have. There’s a price you pay for it.”

After paying that price, and producing immense success, then sure, Hurley is ready to see what his agent can do for him on the business side of things.

“And you also have a market as a coach, you know, when you’ve accomplished a lot things. Trying to find that sweet spot is something.”

We’ll see if UConn can find a sweet enough spot in their new deal to coax Dan Hurley back to Storrs and away from LA.