Dan Hurley will be taking over for Kevin Ollie at UConn despite receiving tempting offers from URI and Pittsburgh.
Dan Hurley was considered one of the hottest coaching prospects around heading into this year’s NCAA tournament. According to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, Hurley is taking the job at UConn despite being offered more money from Pittsburgh and job security from URI.
It’s clear that Hurley is moving on from URI and declining the big payday from Pittsburgh because he wants to take the job that comes with the history of Storrs, Connecticut.
BREAKING: Dan Hurley is headed to UConn, multiple sources told ESPN. Chose the Huskies over a more-lucrative offer from Pittsburgh, and also a long-term deal from URI. 6-year deal with UConn.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) March 22, 2018
Hurley brought URI to the forefront of college basketball the last two seasons. The Rams won at least 25 games the past two seasons and made the NCAA Tournament in both years. They even won their opening round game against Oklahoma before falling to Duke.
Hurley has the pedigree. He’s the son of legendary basketball coach Bob Hurley Sr., who was a mainstay at St. Anthony High School in Jersey City and is considered one of the best high school basketball coaches of all time. To take it one step further, many consider Bob Hurley to be one of the best coaches of all-time regardless of level.
But Dan Hurley isn’t getting the job based solely on his last name. He’s a chip off the old block and has had success wherever he’s been. He was extremely successful at Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey before making the jump to college.
UConn hasn’t been in this type of position for decades. They are staring down the barrel of a rebuild that has no guarantee of success. Luckily for the Huskies, Hurley looks to be the right man for the job. He performed quick and successful turnarounds at Wagner College and URI, so UConn fans are hoping he can perform the same type of magic in Storrs.
