Dan Hurley breaks his silence after rejecting Los Angeles Lakers' $70m offer to stay at UConn

UConn men's basketball head coach Dan Hurley has spoken out after he rejected an offer from the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Hurley passed up the chance to coach LeBron James and co. Monday when he rejected a six-year, $70million deal from the NBA franchise. 

The 51-year-old opted to instead remain with the Huskies in order to chase a third-straight national title.

Despite ultimately turning down the 17-time NBA champions, Hurley admitted he had been flattered by their interest. 

'I am humbled by this entire experience,' Hurley said in a statement as he broke his silence on is decision Monday evening. 

'At the end of the day, I am extremely proud of the championship culture we have built at Connecticut. We met as a team before today's workout and our focus right now is getting better this summer and connecting as a team as we continue to pursue championships.'

The news of Hurley's decision to spurn the Lakers was first reported by ESPN, who claimed he would have been among the NBA's six highest-paid coaches in Los Angeles.

The 51-year-old would have more than doubled his existing salary. Back in 2023, Hurley signed a six-year $32.1m contract with Connecticut.

He has never coached in the NBA and has been in charge of the Huskies since 2018, leading them to NCAA titles in both 2023 and 2024. 

The Lakers had been pursuing Hurley for several weeks. He reportedly traveled to LA on Thursday night before meeting with team officials on Friday.

Hurley told ESPN on Sunday that the NBA giants had made a 'compelling case' and that he was 'extremely impressed' with VP and GM Rob Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss.

But the chance to win a historic third-straight NCAA crown proved too good to turn down. According to reports, UConn and Hurley will now continue talks over a deal to make him one of college basketball's highest earners.

Lakers will now be forced to look elsewhere, with JJ Redick - James' podcast co-host - one name linked with the job. Pelicans assistant James Borrego, meanwhile, has had two in-person interviews.

Los Angeles fired coach Darvin Ham last month, following Los Angeles' defeat by the Denver Nuggets in the NBA playoffs.