Dan Hurley plans to remain at UConn, eyes ‘dynasty in fashionable occasions’

GLENDALE, Ariz. — With Kentucky’s teaching job anticipated to formally open Tuesday, UConn’s Danny Hurley made clear Monday night time that he plans to stick with the Huskies and try and win a 3rd straight nationwide title.

After UConn beat Purdue 75-60 to repeat as NCAA event champions, Hurley addressed the opening with just a few jokes, telling reporters he does not “suppose that is a priority” when requested about Kentucky. He added they need to ask his spouse Andrea, who can be a local of New Jersey.

“Oh my God, Kentucky or anyplace that is going to take her farther from New Jersey,” he stated when requested her response to a possible transfer. “I imply we simply went to Rhode Island, which I had the drag her to, after which to Connecticut. I obtained her nearer. And now additional? I am unable to afford a divorce proper now, too. I simply began earning profits.”

Hurley went on to present some perception into what’s subsequent for his program: “Now you are pondering in your mind, as I am trying on the locker room, concerning the probability to do it 3 times, like a dynasty in fashionable occasions. I imply that is what I am desirous about.”

UConn officers are according to that pondering, as they gave Hurley a hefty new contract final 12 months within the wake of his first nationwide title at UConn. Hurley made $5 million this season as a part of the six-year deal that was introduced in June.

UConn athletic director David Benedict advised ESPN it is flattering that persons are mentioning Hurley with respect to job openings, an indication that folks suppose “he is the very best coach within the nation.”

Benedict stated he seems to be ahead to a different spherical of conversations with Hurley.

“We’ll transfer as rapidly because it is sensible to maneuver,” Benedict advised ESPN. “I imply, we’re not even an hour postgame. However yeah, we’ll stay up for having conversations, whether or not it’s with Coach or his agent, and ensure we’re all in place.

“No completely different than what we did final 12 months. We will proceed to do every thing we probably can to place him, his workers and this program ready to compete for championships. Clearly a part of that’s retention, and so we need to retain folks.”

Hurley stated his focus is on subsequent 12 months at UConn — preparation that may start throughout the journey again on Tuesday.

“On the flight residence tomorrow, we’ll begin speaking about what the roster goes to appear to be,” he stated. “Clearly, we graduate some gamers. We will lose a pair probably to the NBA early entry. We will dive in and put collectively a roster that may play a comparable stage of basketball to the one that you just guys have witnessed the final two years. That is I do know what our mindset can be.”

Following the information that John Calipari is finalizing a take care of Arkansas, Hurley grew to become the second Closing 4 coach to take away his title from consideration for the Kentucky job earlier than it has even formally opened. Alabama coach Nate Oats launched a press release earlier Monday declaring he’ll be staying in Tuscaloosa.