The Los Angeles Lakers’ alleged top head coaching choice is staying put, after all.
The Los Angeles Lakers were dealt a devastating blow in their search for their next head coach on Monday when University of Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley officially rejected the team’s overtures and decided instead to stay in Storrs.
Hurley turned down a reported six-year, $70 million offer from Los Angeles, according to ESPN. UConn’s latest contract pitch to Hurley is alleged to be a six-year, $50 million deal, per Jeff Goodman of Field of 68.
Los Angeles is looking to replace former head coach Darvin Ham, whom they fired after just two seasons. Hurley is fresh off winning his second straight NCAA championship with the Huskies, but he’ll be losing three of his star players to the NBA Draft later this month, which could put a damper in his effort to notch a third consecutive college title. Center Donovan Clingan, combo guard Stephon Castle, and first-team All-America point guard Tristen Newton are all heading to the pros this summer, with both Clingan and Castle expected to be lottery selections.
Hurley has led the Huskies to a 68-11 overall record across his past two title-winning seasons with the program. He’s been there for six years altogether, reaching the NCAA Tournament in each of the last four. Hurley boasts a 141-58 overall record with Connecticut during that stretch.
The Lakers let go of Ham, who’s now en route to the Milwaukee Bucks as a lead assistant coach under Doc Rivers. Ham led the Lakers to a 90-74 overall regular season record and two playoff appearances, including a 2023 Western Conference Finals berth.
Where should L.A. turn now, as it looks to get the most out of 39-year-old All-NBA forward LeBron James — the league’s oldest player — and 31-year-old All-NBA center Anthony Davis, in whatever time they have left at this level?
Here are five primo head coaching options.5. Sandy Brondello
The New York Liberty’s head coach is one of the best leaders in the WNBA. She coached a star-studded Phoenix Mercury club — led by future Hall of Famers Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner — to a WNBA championship in 2014, and was named the Coach of the Year for her efforts that season. She’s coming off a dominant run with the Liberty in 2023, whom she led to the Finals and a franchise-best 32-8 record last season. During her 11 completed seasons as a head coach, Brondello has led her squads to the playoffs every single year, including three WNBA Finals berths and four Conference Finals appearances.
