UNLV's Barry Odom offers Dan Hurley coaching role after football comments

Dan Hurley has another job offer. However, this one isn’t to coach on the hardwood but, instead, on the gridiron.

During an appearance on the New York Yankees broadcast on Sunday, the UConn head coach suggested he would be better at coaching football than basketball. It didn’t take long for a football coach to give Hurley the opportunity to find out if he’s right.

“Come join us [Dan Hurley],” UNLV head coach Barry Odom wrote on X. “New rules allow unlimited coaches!”

Hurley would certainly face a learning curve. From a basketball family, Hurley has little experience on the football field. Nonetheless, he claims his personality fits in more with football coaches.

“Yeah, I think the leadership piece and the psychology, the motivation, the relationship building, just all that stuff, leading men through the ups and downs of these seasons,” Hurley said. “I think I’d be a better football coach than basketball, actually. I just think my intensity, it fits football guys.”

As enticing as Odom’s offer may be, Hurley has made it clear he’s not going anywhere. After John Calipari left Kentucky this offseason for Arkansas, the blue-chip program attempted to lure Hurley to Lexington. Alas, Hurley ultimately turned down the offer. Less than two months later, another opportunity knocked on Hurley’s door.

This time, the Los Angeles Lakers were the interested party. Nevertheless, Hurley couldn’t be convinced, turning down a six-year, $70 million deal from LA, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Now, the 51-year-old head coach is determined to build on the dynasty he’s set into motion.

Per CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, Hurley and UConn have agreed to a six-year contract extension worth $50 million. The extension will give Hurley a chance to further cement his legacy in Storrs, Connecticut.

Dan Hurley knows how to win

Hurley’s willingness to meet a challenge head-on has made him one of the most successful coaches in the modern era of college basketball. Since taking over at UConn in 2018, Hurley boasts a 141-58 overall record and two national titles.

Competition is in Hurley’s blood. His father is Bob Hurley Sr., who amassed 26 state championships in 39 years as a high school coach. For his efforts, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.

Dan’s brother, Bobby, was the starting point guard on Duke’s 1991 and 1992 national championship teams and is now the head coach at Arizona State. Due to his family’s obvious connections to basketball, Dan never played football seriously.

Perhaps in another life, Dan Hurley could’ve been the next Nick Saban. Fortunately for UConn fans, Hurley has made it obvious he’s happy with his current situation.