Dan Hurley was offered the Lakers coaching job before last season. He turned it down. Now, he won’t be coaching UConn for the rest of the season, either.
Actually, that’s not entirely accurate. Hurley remains UConn’s coach. It’s just that UConn’s season is over after getting bounced by Florida, 77-75, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday.
Hurley had a hot-mic meltdown after the game, getting caught on camera in blasting the refs to the Baylor squad as he exited the court. (Baylor lost to Duke and top NBA Draft prospect Cooper Flagg in the next game.)
Anyway, this all means nothing for the Lakers — though it is interesting that the man they offered the job before current coach JJ Redick is done for the season. The Lakers, meanwhile, are fighting to avoid the NBA play-in tournament. That’s basically pro basketball’s equivalent of a conference tournament. Or maybe the NIT.
Lakers almost-coach Dan Hurley doesn’t make it out of first weekend of NCAA tourney. New college champ will be crowned.
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) March 23, 2025
Nonetheless, Hurley and UConn won back-to-back championships but will not be able to accomplish the rare college hoops three-peat. In the Huskies’ defense, they weren’t favored to do so this season. They were the No. 8 seed in their region after losing most of their top players from last season to the NBA.
They didn’t lose Hurley, though. So the Lakers went with Redick, landed Luka Doncic before the February trade deadline, and have the look of a West contender (most nights, anyway).
It’s worked out for everyone, it seems. Except this season, for Hurley.
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