In the latest twist to the unconventional search to fill their head coaching vacancy, the Los Angeles Lakers are now targeting one of the largest figures in college hoops for the job, according to a new report.
In a report filed early Thursday morning, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski claimed that the Lakers were preparing a “massive offer” to present to the University of Connecticut’s Dan Hurley for their head coaching job. Hurley, regarded as one of the best coaches in the men’s college game, is coming off of his second-straight national championship with the Huskies.
Hurley, Wojnarowski wrote, is being considered for the job based off of his tactical acumen and player-development skills. He reported that Hurley has been at the forefront of the head coaching search throughout the entire process, despite the Lakers exploring other options.
There was no word on whether Hurley would plan to accept a potential offer — however John Fanta of Fox Sports reported that he told his UConn players Thursday morning that he’s had discussions with the Lakers.
“Hurley didn’t want to hide the fact that this is real,” Fanta wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
In his 14 years as a head coach at the Division I level, Hurley has racked up an impressive record of 292-163 at Wagner College, Rhode Island and later UConn. He’s risen to mainstream prominence in recent years after guiding the Huskies to the last two NCAA titles.
Hurley, 51, was expected to have another title-contending team in 2024-25, despite losing a massive amount of talent to the NBA Draft.
On an appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show” on Thursday, UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma said he spoke to Hurley on Wednesday and told him that he’d make a good coach for the Lakers, not knowing that he’d already had discussions about the job. In that appearance, Auriemma also took a not-so-subtle jab at another contender for the position.
“I think you could win a lot of championships with the Lakers,” Auriemma said. “More so than a guy who’s never coached.”
The “guy who’s never coached” is likely in reference to former Duke and NBA player JJ Redick, who has been linked to the job for weeks.
Redick, who is on ABC’s commentary crew for the NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics beginning Thursday evening, started a podcast with Lakers’ superstar LeBron James earlier this year.
Redick, who played 17 years in the league and is known best for his stints with the Orlando Magic and L.A. Clippers, has never coached basketball in a formal role. He does have clear chemistry with James; however, the aging legend’s future with the team is in question.
The Lakers’ job will likely pose a challenge for the new coach regardless, as James, who will turn 40 in the middle of the next season, could opt out of his Lakers’ contract before free agency begins. Even if he chooses to stay in the purple and gold, there will be added pressure on the next coach to win immediately as James enters what’s sure to be the final seasons of his illustrious career.
The Lakers’ 2023-24 season came to a disappointing end in the first round of the NBA Playoffs when they fell to the Denver Nuggets for the second straight year, this time in five games. The team fired coach Darvin Ham last month after just two years on the job.