University of Connecticut men’s basketball head coach Dan Hurley is polarizing to say the least, but now on the verge of a third national championship in four years, he is on the brink of a new dynasty in college basketball.
However, regardless of what happens in the UConn vs. Michigan national championship game on Monday, April 6, it shouldn’t take away from the fact that Hurley almost left the Huskies for a head coaching job in the NBA, offered the position to lead the Los Angeles Lakers back in 2024.
While Hurley turned down a move to the NBA, in part from advice from Tom Izzo of Michigan State, he could be eyeing a move back to the professional ranks once again, even though he’s one win away from stamping his mark on college basketball with a third national championship in four years.
Dan Hurley Lakers, NBA Rumors Amid UConn National Championship Game
GettyWASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 29: Head coach Dan Hurley of the UConn Huskies reacts during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
In 2024, while the Lakers were looking for a new head coach, Hurley was offered a six-year, $70 million contract to leave UConn and move to Southern California.
He ended up turning down the deal, and while he claimed it wasn’t a leverage play to land a new contract in his current job (which he did end up getting), the coach said that the offer to lead the most popular team in the NBA was tempting.
Hurley was remained at UConn since, now just one win away from his third national championship in four years, after winning the title in 2023 and 2024, but falling short in 2025 in what was an overall disappointing campaign for the Huskies.
The controversial and polarizing coach has maintained his commitment to UConn, but most recently, Hurley did not shut down the idea of a move to the NBA at some point in his career.
When asked about the potential of accepting the head coach opening at the University of North Carolina, Hurley turned that down, but mentioned that an NBA move could still be in the cards.
“I’m a UConn coach until the end,” Hurley said to Jeff Goodman. “Maybe the NBA someday down the line, but no, I’m a UConn coach.”
For now, he’s with the Huskies, but regardless of what happens in the national championship game against Michigan, Hurley’s future will continue to be discussed, whether it be with the Lakers or any other NBA franchise.
Dan Hurley Leading UConn To National Championship Game
GettyWASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 27: Head coach Dan Hurley of the UConn Huskies reacts during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
An underwhelming season in 2025 seemed to only spark a fire in Hurley to get back to the top of college basketball in 2026, and he’s one win away from being atop the peak of the sport for the third time in four years.
After a strong regular season, Hurley and UConn lost to St John’s in the Big East Tournament championship game, but entered the NCAA March Madness Tournament as a two-seed in the East region.
The Huskies started the tournament with a win over Furman, followed by another easy victory over the UCLA Bruins.
In the Sweet Sixteen, they inched out another win over Izzo and Michigan State, coming shortly after the news emerged about Hurley getting advice from the legendary head coach on what to do about his previous Lakers’ job offer.
In what was arguably the game of the tournament, UConn beat Duke with an improbable comeback and an even more unforgettable shot from freshman Braylon Mullins at the buzzer.
UConn then ended victorious against a frisky Illinois team in the Final Four, now set for a date with the top-seeded Michigan team in the national championship game.
As seen all year, and throughout his tenure with the Huskies, regardless of the controversies, arguements with referees, or anything else he does that college basketball fans dislike, Hurley wins. And he does it a lot.
With a win over the Wovlerines, Hurley will cement his legacy in the sport. Three national championships has only been accomplished by six other coaches in the history of college basketball, and only John Wooden of UCLA did it in four years or less.
But regardless of what happens on Monday night, championship or not, Hurley has a future at UConn for as long as he wants to stay. A move to the NBA can’t be ruled out, especially based on his latest comments, only added on by the fact that, at the top of the mountain, there’s not a lot left to accomplish.
Dan Hurley Almost Left UConn For Lakers, Could Eye NBA Move After National Championship