UCONN coach Dan Hurley addressed the media frenzy surrounding his proposed move to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Hurley turned down a six-year, $70 million contract offer from the NBA organization on Monday to stay with the Huskies.
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The 51-year-old has since revealed the seismic impact of the proposed move on his wife Andrea.
In a revealing interview, the college coach admitted that the contract saga has taken a serious toll on his family.
“[Andrea] It was like crying at first,” Hurley said. The Dan Le Batard show with Stugotz.
“I think initially, in the first few days, she was violently angry and emotional.”
“I don’t like hitting myself and stuff like that,” he added with a chuckle.
“She was emotional and said, ‘I can’t believe you’re bringing this up. Our life is so good, it’s perfect.
“Our lives couldn’t be better and now you’re bringing this shit.”
Hurley won back-to-back NCAA titles with the Huskies.
He signed a $32.1 million 2023 contract extension with the school that runs through 2029.
The Lakers parted ways with Darvin Ham last month following a first-round postseason loss to the Denver Nuggets.
“She was bad at first, but then she warmed up when we got there and she met [Lakers GM] Rob Pelinka and her met Jeanie [Buss] and felt the vibe,” Hurley continued.
“We drove around Manhattan Beach and mostly met the people. And she had the vision for it. She liked it.
“But then when we got back to Connecticut without having made a decision, we went home and we both retreated. [to UConn].”
Hurley announced his decision on Monday after setting a “deadline.”
Time for LeBron to retire?
“At the end of the day, I hate to say it, but I believe it in my soul right now: I wish LeBron James would retire.
“Not because I don’t want to see more LeBron James, not because I don’t appreciate LeBron James.
“But I honestly believe that deep down, the longer LeBron James continues to play basketball, the more it will hurt his legacy and the more it will continue to hurt his GOAT argument.
“As long as he steps on that floor, every season, there will be expectations that he will win a championship.
“And when he doesn’t, we’ll be looking at him and saying, ‘Well, what happened now?’”
ESPN star Kendrick Perkins speaking on First Take about LeBron James’ future in the NBA
“I tried to imagine walking into the locker room and telling the team, ‘I’m not with you anymore,’” he explained.
“Because the beautiful thing that still exists for us on the faculty at UConn – that NIL and the portal didn’t destroy – is that we have a real, beautiful connection here.
“There is a feeling of connection and brotherhood.”
The Lakers are reportedly preparing to interview former NBA star and ESPN analyst JJ Redick for their vacant head coaching position.
Redick hosts popular podcast alongside Lakers star LeBron James
According to NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Redick will have an official interview with the Lakers this weekend.
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