UConn is expected to name Rhode Island’s Dan Hurley as its next head coach, sources tell A Dime Back. The contract is rumored to pay $3.1 million annually (a figure we could not confirm), a significant raise from Hurley’s current $1.1 million salary at URI, and was reportedly finalized after a late push by several high profile UConn donors.
Hurley immediately emerged as UConn’s number one target after the university fired Kevin Ollie earlier this month. The courtship was relatively brief, but still featured several plot twists. Hearst’s Jeff Jacobs initially broke the news on Monday night before walking it back as rumors of Hurley’s uncertainty grew. In the days that followed, news of an offer north of $3 million per year from Pitt leaked out, as did several stories offering the possibility that Hurley would remain at Rhode Island.
While UConn’s initial offer was reported to be well short of that figure, the university turned to its donors to close the gap, sources say.
On paper, Hurley is a dream hire for the Huskies. He has turned around two programs, at Wagner and then at URI, leading the latter to two consecutive tournament appearances. He has deep and meaningful connections in northeast basketball circles and has shown an ability to recruit the east coast successfully. His temperament and coaching style are often compared to Hall of Fame UConn coach Jim Calhoun.
Hurley will take over a UConn team that has missed the tournament in consecutive years for the first time since he was in grade school. While some talented players are currently on the roster — namely guards Jalen Adams and Christian Vital — Hurley’s first order of business will be to retain the current players he needs to make the team successful next year.
