Dan Hurley’s NBA Decision: A Game-Changer for College Basketball

As confetti rained down on the back-to-back national champion UConn Huskies, head coach Dan Hurley was already thinking about a three-peat. But now, there’s a chance he won’t be on the sideline to defend UConn’s title.

UConn’s head coach considering a move to the NBA

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Hurley traveled to Southern California to meet with Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss. The Lakers are eager to hire the two-time national championship coach, and discussions are already underway about contractual parameters.

“There’s no overstating how impactful Hurley’s decision will be on the landscapes of both college basketball and the NBA.” - [Author’s Name]

Hurley informed UConn’s administration and his players of his interest in the Lakers head coaching vacancy. If he leaves, it will be a significant blow to the Huskies, who would still be considered among the favorites to cut down the nets in 2025.

UConn’s championship odds hang in the balance

The Huskies added All-WCC guard Aidan Mahaney from Saint Mary’s and top-10 recruit Liam McNeely to recover from their losses. However, if Hurley departs, there’s a possibility either Kimani Young or Luke Murray will be elevated from their respective assistant coach positions.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs, who figure to be a top-10 team heading into next season, could benefit from Hurley’s departure. With the return of seven of their top eight scorers from a team that went to the Sweet 16 last season, the Bulldogs are poised for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

Gonzaga Bulldogs looking to capitalize on Hurley’s decision

In the event Hurley leaves for LA, the road to San Antonio becomes a wide-open path for a handful of teams like the Bulldogs. Consider that UConn, which knocked out Gonzaga in the 2023 Elite Eight by 28 points, has won its last 12 NCAA Tournament games by double digits.

Even if the Huskies are talented enough to go dancing in 2025, it’s unlikely they’ll keep up their dominant run without Hurley. UConn’s back-to-back titles are even more impressive considering the amount of roster turnover the program endured in each of the last two offseasons.

As the best college basketball coach in the country meets with the Lakers in Southern California, the rest of the basketball world awaits his decision.