The Los Angeles Lakers’ first-round exit in the Western Conference playoffs brought back memories of Dan Hurley’s infamous refusal to become their head coach. LeBron James and company lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in game five, putting their 20th conference title on hold once again.
Dan Hurley Fans Made Their Feelings Known on X
Hurley fans haven’t let the dust settle on Wednesday’s loss to make their opinions known. For most, this result for the Lakers is proof that the current UConn head coach made the right decision:
I promise you Dan Hurley isn’t putting in max Kleber or gabe Vincent a second on an nba floor and your podcaster of a head coach put them in to save your season. Lakers are finished and UConn’s reputation is still intact. Hurley dodged a bullet.
— Dave (@Dinnertime212) May 1, 2025
Lakers bad. Dan Hurley good.
— Kyle (@Reese010506) May 1, 2025
Remember when Lakers fans were running victory laps around Dan Hurley because JJ Redick was winning meaningless games in March? Fun times. It’s almost like the guy who’s only coaching experience was 4th grade AAU was gonna struggle when it mattered
— Jack McDonnell (@Jack23McD) May 1, 2025
DAN HURLEY ON A DOWN YEAR STILL GOT OUT THE FIRST ROUND @Lakers
— Jazz Himholm (@iHitSplits) May 1, 2025
@Lakers you still got Dan Hurley on speed dial?
— Court Zeppernick (@CZeppernick) May 1, 2025
In mid-2014, amid much media coverage, Dan Hurley received an offer from the Lakers to replace Darvin Ham as head coach. With no less press attention, Hurley surprised the basketball world by turning down the opportunity and opting to keep his job with the Huskies.
“College coaching compared to the NBA, there’s more of a sense of purpose to it.” Hurley said at the time, according to Fadeaway World. “You know, there just is because of the impact you can have on a 17-year-old and 19-year-old. What you can mean for them in their life is something, you know, that you don’t get in pro sports the same way.”
“You’re the last group of people that are going to really teach these kids a lot of what they need to learn, to take, to be successful, to make them tougher, to make them better, just to prepare them for what life’s going to be like. And it’s not always going to be easy,” he added.
Naturally, Hurley’s decision went over well with the University of Connecticut board. After all, this is the head coach who led them to back-to-back NCAA titles (2023, 2024).
“We’re grateful for his loyalty to UConn,” athletic director David Benedict said at the time, according to ESPN. “We look forward to Dan’s continued leadership on and off the court at UConn. He will continue to bring great pride to Husky fans everywhere as we work toward a three-peat.”
Hurley is one of the highest-paid coaches in the NCAA, with a six-year, $32.1 million contract signed after the 2022-23 season.
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Hurley failed to win three consecutive NCAA championships. In 2025, the UConn Huskies lost in the second round to the eventual champion Florida Gators.
The 52-year-old coach took over the UConn men’s basketball team in 2018. It is one of the most prestigious men’s basketball programs in the country, with four NCAA titles and 10 conference titles in its trophy cases prior to Hurley’s arrival.
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