Dan Hurley refutes narrative about his discussions with Lakers

Dan Hurley turned down a significant offer to become the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, and many have speculated that his interest in the job was never legitimate. Hurley says he is fed up with that narrative.

During a Thursday appearance on the “Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz,” Hurley blasted those who have suggested he used the Lakers’ pursuit of him to strengthen his position in contract extension talks with UConn. The 51-year-old said the back-to-back national titles he won gave him all the leverage he needs.

“One of the worst takes I’ve heard is, like, this is a leverage play by me to improve my situation at UConn. I don’t need leverage here,” Hurley said. “We won back-to-back national championships at this place. This was never a leverage situation for me.

“I’ve had a contract in place here for a couple of weeks. The financial part, in terms of salary, has been done for a while. There’s some other parts like NIL and staff salaries and some different things that I want adjusted that I’m not comfortable with. But the sense or the idea that this was some conspiracy to get me a sweeter deal at UConn is just lazy. It was truly a gut-wrenching decision for me.”