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 to win a 3rd straight nationwide title.
After UConn beat Purdue 75-60 to repeat as NCAA match champions, Hurley addressed the opening with a number of 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 wherever that is going to take her farther from New Jersey,” he stated when requested about her response to a possible transfer. “I imply, we simply went to Rhode Island, which I needed to drag her to, after which to Connecticut. I bought her nearer. And now additional? I am unable to afford a divorce proper now, too. I simply began making a living.”
Hurley went on to provide some perception into what’s subsequent for his program: “Now you are pondering in your mind, as I am wanting on the locker room, in regards to the probability to do it thrice, like a dynasty in trendy occasions. I imply, that is what I am enthusiastic about.”
UConn officers are consistent with that pondering, as they gave Hurley a hefty new contract final yr 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 instructed ESPN it is flattering that persons are mentioning Hurley with respect to job openings, an indication that individuals 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 are going to transfer as shortly because it is sensible to maneuver,” Benedict instructed ESPN. “I imply, we’re not even an hour postgame. However yeah, we’ll stay up for having conversations, whether or not or not it’s with Coach or his agent, and ensure we’re all in a very good place.
“No completely different than what we did final yr. We’ll proceed to do the whole lot 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 wish to retain folks.”
Hurley stated his focus is on subsequent yr at UConn — preparation that can start in the course of the journey again Tuesday.
“On the flight dwelling tomorrow, we’ll begin speaking about what the roster goes to appear to be,” he stated. “Clearly, we graduate some gamers. We’ll lose a pair doubtlessly to the NBA early entry. We’ll dive in and put collectively a roster that may play a comparable stage of basketball to the one that you simply 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 turned the second Closing 4 coach to handle the Kentucky emptiness earlier than it has even formally opened. Alabama coach Nate Oats launched a press release earlier Monday declaring he’ll be staying in Tuscaloosa.