Despite advancing to the conference semifinals, the New York Knicks parted ways with Tom Thibodeau. UConn’s Dan Hurley was one of the coaches they reached out to to fill the new coaching vacancy.
However, working for the Knicks is not something Hurley is interested in, nor for any NBA franchise, for that matter. Hurley famously rejected an offer from the Los Angeles Lakers last year. When asked this week by the Hartford Courant why he has chosen to remain at the NCAA level, he said:
“So yeah, no, that’s not even something I thought about (or) considered. I’m a college coach.”
2024-25 wasn’t a great season for UConn. The Huskies had double-digit losses and ended with a 24-11 record. In the NCAA tournament, they couldn’t advance beyond the second round, where they fell to the eventual national champions, the Florida Gators.
Dan Hurley’s message to Liam McNeeley after getting drafted in the NBA
With the 29th overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, Liam McNeeley was selected by the Charlotte Hornets. It was surely a momentous Wednesday night for the Big East Freshman of the Year, who was one of the bright spots in an otherwise mediocre UConn season. Besides winning the Freshman of the Year award for his conference, he also earned Third Team All-Big East and All-Freshman Big East honors.
One of the first to congratulate the forward was Dan Hurley. The coach wrote on X:
“Exclusive Club…On the Wall…This guy is special and will have a big time NBA career! 🐺💙.”
Exclusive Club…On the Wall…This guy is special and will have a big time NBA career! 🐺💙 pic.twitter.com/mCeZsvEG6T
— Dan Hurley (@dhurley15) June 26, 2025
However, no one was happier about having made it to the NBA than McNeeley himself.
“I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I was five years old,” McNeeley said at a press conference, shortly after walking across the Barclays Center stage and shaking NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s hand. “This is all I’ve ever wanted, and this is where the work really begins. So just all the memories and people that have helped me get to where I am, that’s where the tears came from.”
“It takes so much sacrifice and dedication and passion. I’ve missed out on a lot of hangouts with my friends, a lot of time with my family. But it’s all worth it to me. I love basketball,” he added.
In his sole season at Storrs under Dan Hurley, McNeeley averaged 14.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage was 45.5%.
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