Dan Hurley Turns Down Lakers Head Coaching Job To Stay At UConn

The Los Angeles Lakers offered Dan Hurley what would have seemed like a basketball coach's dream: A chance to coach one of the world's most iconic teams.

But Hurley, the head coach at the University of Connecticut, turned down the Lakers' six-year, $70 million offer and will return to chase a third national championship with the Huskies.

The stunning news of the Lakers and Hurley being in contact about the Lakers' head coaching job was first reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Hurley has been a hot commodity in the coaching ranks ever since he led UConn to the Final Four in 2014. He has since won two Big East regular-season championships and one Big East Tournament title with the Huskies.

The Lakers are in need of a new head coach after firing Frank Vogel in April. The team has not made the playoffs since 2013 and has struggled to find a consistent identity under Vogel.

Hurley's decision to stay at UConn is a major coup for the school. The Huskies are one of the most successful programs in college basketball history, and Hurley has them poised to make another run at a national championship.

The Lakers, meanwhile, will have to continue their search for a new head coach. They have been linked to a number of candidates, including Doc Rivers, Tyronn Lue, and Mark Jackson.