Dan Hurley‘s name is once again making the rounds in NBA coaching speculation-but the UConn men’s basketball coach seems determined to stay out of the rumor mill this summer.
After the New York Knicks fired head coach Tom Thibodeau, speculation swirled about potential replacements. Naturally, Hurley – a New Jersey native with deep ties to the Northeast basketball scene – surfaced as a possible fit. But Hurley was quick to dismiss the buzz.
“Not another summer of that,” he told the Hartford Courant on Tuesday, referencing the frenzy of attention he received last offseason when he turned down a $70 million offer from the Los Angeles Lakers.
While his remark wasn’t a firm denial, it strongly implied he’s not currently entertaining any overtures from the NBA.
Why college still works for Hurley
At 52, Hurley has solidified his legacy at the college level. He signed a six-year, $50 million extension with UConn last year, keeping him in Storrs through 2029. That contract followed back-to-back NCAA championships and made Hurley one of the most successful-and secure-coaches in the country.
So it’s no surprise that school officials, according to the New Haven Register, aren’t concerned about the Knicks’ opening luring him away. Hurley, they believe, is committed to what he’s building.
He reinforced that belief when asked about his current focus.
“Two days into practice, not everyone is on campus, but we’re thrilled with the way we’ve been able to put it together,” he said of UConn’s early prep for the 2025-26 season.
The contrast between his college environment and the NBA’s revolving door of head coaches may be playing a role in his stance. Hurley enjoys rare job security at UConn – a far cry from the high-pressure, win-or-else culture of professional basketball.
Tom Thibodeau‘s firing illustrates that well. Despite guiding the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years and rebuilding the franchise’s reputation, he was still let go. Hurley, meanwhile, faced no backlash after a second-round NCAA Tournament exit this past season.
That stability might be more valuable to Hurley than any NBA payday. College coaches get time to develop rosters, grow with their teams, and, in Hurley’s case, build something enduring. In the NBA, coaches often walk into high-stakes scenarios with limited control and even less patience from front offices.
While Madison Square Garden may seem like a dream job for a Seton Hall alum raised in Jersey City, Hurley doesn’t appear interested – at least for now.
If he ultimately passes, he’ll join another two-time NCAA champion in declining the Knicks. Jay Wright, the retired Villanova coach, is reportedly also uninterested. That leaves names like John Calipari-currently with Arkansas and closely connected to Knicks leadership-as potential options.
For now, Dan Hurley is staying put. He has a team to build, a campus to lead, and a legacy that’s still growing – far from the chaos of the NBA coaching carousel.
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