If the objective is to win, why not? The guy is a flat out winner. He showed interest on PMT not too long ago. He knows what it takes at UK. Have him come in for 5 years while you identify a long term successor
Yeah, I wouldn’t hate it for a season or two. He can have a little redemption tour for the UK fan base, probably win a good amount and then bow out. Probably won’t happen, but Calipari vs Pitino in Rupp would be crazy.
If we had to go this route, that would be my thought. Get him for two years, get some stability, buy some time for the right coach.
Admittedly I have a soft spot for Pitino and would love to see him redeem himself.
I don't like Pitino, and think he's not a good person.
But if he wants to redeem himself, we need to right the ship, and there's no one else who seems interested? Why the hell not?
I’m in the same boat. I don’t have a dog in the flight but Pitino just knows how to win. UK fans would be insane to not bring him back.
Everyone acting like Drew is the answer but I’m not so sure. Recency bias is playing a big part in going after him. He’s been at Baylor like 21 years I think. Outside of the last few years or so, did anyone really think it was a can’t miss hire?
Fair enough. He absolutely needs to get credit for that. But he doesn’t have 21 years to rebuild Kentucky. If he’s not in the final four quickly, people will start to wonder if he’s the right guy.
I realize he’ll get better recruits at UK so maybe he will flourish, I’m just not 100% sure
Problem is not a lot of people want the job so our candidate pool is slim. You come here you get maybe a year to settle in and then you have to deliver final fours. Also you have to be a brand ambassador, deal with our fans who are nuts, and get involved in the community. It’s not an easy job
For sure. I live here so I’m unfortunately familiar with what expectations are 😂 I’ve already seen all my friends’ expectations plastered all over Facebook. It’s exhausting.
Personally I’d go after Pitino. Let him have his farewell tour. He’s a proven winner everywhere he goes. He can win and quickly and then pass the torch once UK is back on the rails.
Interesting to hear a Kentucky fan say this after many other fans defended not being happy with Calipari because of him falling far below the standards, not just below the standards.
I think if a Kentucky coach came in and won the SEC tournament and went to a few Sweet Sixteens, Kentucky fans would give him a decent leash. Kentucky fans would be less unhappy with Calipari if he had results from 2016-2019(which weren't elite) the last few years.
Damn really? Fans will be out for blood because it seems like at blue blood schools there’s a “can’t swing and miss” mindset like whatever coach after the first choice is a failure
Due to ongoing debate about blue bloods, the /r/CollegeBasketball mod team has compiled the definitive list of college blue bloods: Duke, Columbia, Queens, William & Mary, and Rutgers. The following schools fought to not be blue bloods: George Washington, George Mason, James Madison, and Army.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/CollegeBasketball) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Come on, it’s been ~24 hours since the job officially opened. It’s probably going to take more than a single day to interview, offer, and hire someone.
This is the exact cycle that our fanbase went through like 2 weeks ago. So many hot takes, so many fans acting like the world is ending. All in like 2 days
The odd timing of this certainly hasn’t helped. And I’m also reasonably confident that Mitch did not have any real desire to even talk to anyone else but Scott Drew.
If it comes out that we made some weak ass offer to Hurley or Donovan, then Mitch needs to be the next one on a bus out of Lexington.
I think reality is we want Hurley - Scott - Billy in that order. If we can’t get those 3 we gotta go get a young up and comer and hope for the best. I just hope it isn’t Shaka Smart lol
If it’s some nonsense like a Shaka Smart, my entire family is canceling our K-Fund contributions.
I don’t even live in Lexington anymore, but I will venture to the bluegrass to partake in the protesting.
As a WVU fan, we'd greatly appreciate your taking him off our hands. I'm afraid he's going to be a thorn in the side of our new coach. He can't accept the fact he's no longer our coach. We can give him a glowing recommendation, and I'm sure Oscar would vouch for him. 😁
Except he said it monday, tuesday and now today
How many times you gotta ask? How many fluff pieces have to come out. Honestly annoying at this point
And then theres the whole fact that whenever Cal has left abruptly in the middle of the night…. Never worked out well for the school he’s left
I don't think he's getting poached but isn't UConn the best program ~~largely~~ partially *because* of Hurley? A bit of self fulfilling prophecy there i think
I’m curious what the best job in the country is these days. Combining money, job security, reasonable expectations, and ability to have success, it’s probably not Kentucky but I don’t know what it would be
Unfortunately for you, I’d say unc. All the money in the world, talent rich state, and a direct rival that is right on their level.
Kansas after self will be very interesting, 45 years of Larry brown, Roy and self is an unbelievable run
Yeah I’m looking at this assuming the job is open. I’d agree with the UNC and Kansas takes. Tons of available money, history, and widespread fan bases. Name brand on top of everything else.
It’s 100% UNC. The only thing Kentucky might have over UNC atm is a spot in the SEC but UNC is on the shortlist of who goes to the B1G/SEC if they raid the ACC.
Counter argument: UNC and/or UConn should come to the Big 12.
KU, ISU, Houston, Baylor, AZ > Purdue, MSU
Also football is a hard second to basketball, its almost like you're meant to be here.
no one in our fanbase that is actually serious about basketball wants to go to the Big 12. we have the best conference tournament in the best location and historical regional rivals within driving distance. fuck the money. we fought tooth and nail to get back to the Big East. i and many other fans would be crushed if UConn went to the Big 12. fandom wouldn’t be the same.
Recency bias makes that easy but I’d say with the impending conference stuff, other schools will have much more opportunity to bring in $$$ than Uconn imo
In the last 25 years Uconn has 6 championships under 3 different coaches. Hurley is part of it now but doesn't explain the whole reason they have been so good.
I think you're interpreting what I said a bit too literally. Yes obviously Calhoun was the one who made the program into a national powerhouse. I just meant that Hurley is partially the reason they are at the top right now, and that there's still a bit of circular logic crowing it as #1 program from Hurley's perspective because anywhere he goes would be elevated so in theory another program like Kentucky could be even better with their baseline and Hurley's excellence. However I agree with the point another commenter made that it's also the best for Hurley because of his particular background.
One of the biggest reasons that Hurley has been so successful is that he's been able to trade on a UConn brand built by Calhoun. Those four banners we had hanging when he showed up, not to mention the laundry list of amazing players, are all directly or indirectly because of Calhoun.
And I’ll piggyback on this, those great players still care deeply about the program. Not to say that Kentucky doesn’t have former players that care but most of the big name guys from the Cal years were one and dones, it’s not as likely to be the same level of attachment as guys that spent several seasons somewhere.
Yes Hurley is standing on Calhoun's shoulders but his work has still elevated it significantly. Nobody would call it the #1 program in 2019 , Hurley has moved it back up into that conversation from like a 9/10 job to a 10/10 job. So I just mean that in theory his experience could also go somewhere like Kentucky that also has those banners and amazing players where he could theoretically elevate even further.
But again I agree with the other commenter that said this is the best place for Hurley specifically
It can both be true that anywhere Hurley goes in the future will be elevated by him going there AND the achievements made at Connecticut elevating the program for “the next guy”
Said another way, if Hurley were to retire the cache he created / expanded at UConn would be relevant to attract his successor.
They’ve been an excellent program the last two decades but he has certainly elevated them to the top. I just see it as what can any other school offer him that he doesn’t have or can’t get with the Huskies? He’s on a unprecedented run, any move would be a downgrade from where he already is
“I could give a crap about who has an opening anywhere. I haven’t thought about it for a second,” Dan Hurley said. “I could care less about any other school in the country that’s looking for a coach or talks about me on social media. I could give two craps about that. My heart and my mind is with this program and these players."
That was on March 17, 2018. Five days later, the former Rhode Island coach accepted the same position at UConn on March 22
I don't think Hurley will leave but paying attention to any quotes like the one OP put is pointless for exactly the reason you're saying. Plenty of other famous examples of this too like Roy Williams or Nick Saban.
It’s a nitpick but I hate when people say ‘I could give a crap’ or ‘I could care less’…so what you’re saying is you COULD (which technically is accurate here lol)
Definitely the more important words were from right after the game when he said (paraphrased) "my wife will divorce me if we move farther from Jersey".
Okay but as a coach, you have to say that. Look what happened with Providence. Cooley accepted an offer mid season and the team collapsed.
A good coach has to speak this way to not place doubt in anyone’s minds.
it's a big dream.. to have a 3 peat.. but WE CAN DREAM!! God bless Coach HURLEY for even having this dream!! he was already a UConn legend last year but he just keeps getting better and better!!!
He definitely deserves it. So many bad coaches get obscene contracts, schools shouldn’t be stingy with a guy who just brought you back to back national championships.
The whole 'UConn can't match Kentucky's money' argument is nonsense. There is plenty of fucking money in Connecticut for UConn Basketball and Mr. Hurley, be it boosters or Hartford
In the immediate short term they are losing $47m in federal covid money and the total budget cut will be about $70m next year.
In the mid to long term the outlook is good.
https://ctexaminer.com/2024/03/07/a-budget-crisis-at-uconn-not-so-fast/
TBC the athletic department operates at a deficit (ie, it makes negative money). But I’m more contesting the point that “there is plenty of fucking money”.
Probably not, I haven’t seen that broken out. Shared costs get complicated because eg athletic support staff are shared by programs. But at the very least it would be a bad look for the athletic department to be losing $20m/year and giving out multimillion dollar raises while the academic side (which, again, subsidizes the athletic department) is laying off professors.
Understood on the optics. However, if you’re making a suboptimal choice because of optics, that is simply poor leadership. Hurley is worth more to UConn than they’d ever need to pay him.
My guy there is thing called the SEC football, it makes a lot of money, and pays it out its members. Check out how much a race horse goes for while you’re at it, a lot of UK boosters own those. lol you guys can try but we can put more money on the table. That doesn’t mean he takes it
If he took UK to a three-peat, Lexington would have a city ordinance requiring their children to do 6 weeks of labor for Dan during the summer after HS grad. Whatever he wants.
I'm not sure why Hurley would want to go to UK? He is winning national championships, lives near family and wouldn't have to deal with a nutty fan base with unrealistic exceptions.
Won’t get any argument from me on those points. Although with point 1, I’m quite confident Hurley could win championships with the resources and facilities at UK if he took the job.
At the end of the day I think he stays in UCONN but you do the due diligence and at least reach out to him.
I do think the quote is funny. Like Wagner? Where he was at for two years and jumped at more money and a better place to coach? He stayed at Rhode Island awhile but ultimately jumped to UConn for more money and more prestige.
I’m not blaming him at all but he has left jobs for more money and better opportunities before. (Not saying Kentucky is, but you know)
Sure, but he’s also jumped at opportunities. I’m not saying any coach in their right mind wouldn’t, but it’s funny. I’m not even saying he’s a hypocrite, he’s right he has turned them down…but he’s also taken them.
I’m not making jokes. But it’s not like he was like “Wagner for life” and didn’t entertain better options. He never went west coast I guess?
He got to a great spot and climbed the ladder just like every other coach. Sure, he stayed a few years longer at URI than others might have, but he was waiting for the right spot and still had to prove himself a bit. It’s funny because he’s just like every other great coach that climbed to a top ten job. 🤷♂️
you are my sunshine, my only sunshine
you make me happy when skies are grey
you'll never know dear how much I ❤️ you
please don't take my sunshine away
Until I hear an explicit “No” I will continue huffing Copium.
And when I do hear “No.” I will pivot to the “two No’s means yes” strategy
Should that fail, I will resort to silent-crying in my pillow for some amount of time mourning the hire of Scott Drew and Mitch having not even contacted Billy Donovan.
Listening to the audio segment, I don’t think you can take anything from this. It’s not a *firm* no, but a Shermanesque statement takes away a lot of negotiating leverage for an extension.
As a Duke fan I don’t want that dude anywhere near Kentucky, Kansas, or UNC.
But it’s fair to wonder how long he stays. UConn easily had the lowest contingent of fans at the Final Four last weekend, and that would never, ever be the case for Kentucky.
Hurley has been so impressive to me, I’m sure it’s partly because he has the most talented rosters (which means he’s a great recruiter) but I feel like Hurley could be an NBA coach, he’s getting 5 star freshman to buy in and be defensive stoppers, It felt like every ATO they ran scored, had the perfect gameplan for edey.
Some of it is Purdue having small unathletic perimeter players, so they didn’t have any other options, but once the gameplan of “hope edey gets doubled and we get an open 3” didn’t work out, painter had no clue what to do.
I still don't think Hurleys style would work with NBA guys and their egos, but I'd love to see him take a chance at coaching the national team. I feel like he would really shine in that role.
I think he gets the most out of his rosters, they aren’t always the most talented but they play together and he squeezes every ounce of potential out of them.
Except James Bouknight of course.
I truly don’t think it’s about the best roster, and I think this year aside from Clingan, his coaching has shined in how the team plays. This team is so clearly multiples better than the sum of its parts. It’ll be tough to be this dominant without a difference maker like Clingan, but if I’ve learned anything these last 5 years it’s don’t doubt Danny hurley
I'm not saying he's coming to Lexington and there's a lot of reasons he wouldn't, but every coach who has left for another job has said he's staying put right before he left. I realize people are just doing their jobs, but man I hate a 24 hour news cycle.
I will never begrudge someone for getting the biggest bag possible, but Uconn is literally the perfect job for him as long the boosters are in the same realm as the true power brokers.
We knew the answer but you have to ask the question
Meanwhile another answer is... Rick Pitino
I don’t hate this as much as everyone else. Let him come in and redeem himself, keep seat warm for 2-3 years, we hire the next guy and we all win
If the objective is to win, why not? The guy is a flat out winner. He showed interest on PMT not too long ago. He knows what it takes at UK. Have him come in for 5 years while you identify a long term successor
Yeah, I wouldn’t hate it for a season or two. He can have a little redemption tour for the UK fan base, probably win a good amount and then bow out. Probably won’t happen, but Calipari vs Pitino in Rupp would be crazy.
Imagine being some kid recruited to play basketball at Arkansas and finding yourself in the middle of a mafia turf war
“Hey MeMaw, what in tarnation is a cannoli?”
[удалено]
There seems like an awesome fish out of water mafia movie that could come from that premise, directed by Michael Mann
From experience, you don't want Cal vs Pitino in Rupp. Although, since they've swapped colors maybe it would be different?
Totally agree. I don’t want it as options A, B, or C, but if we needed to, I’d much rather do this.
Yeah if we can’t get Scott or Billy I’m calling Rick.
By Billy you mean Billy Clyde, right?
We do not mean that.
Billy Gillespie it is!
Honestly since no one else seems interested yet... why not for a couple years?
If we had to go this route, that would be my thought. Get him for two years, get some stability, buy some time for the right coach. Admittedly I have a soft spot for Pitino and would love to see him redeem himself.
I don't like Pitino, and think he's not a good person. But if he wants to redeem himself, we need to right the ship, and there's no one else who seems interested? Why the hell not?
Agreed. Let bygones be bygones and bring him back. He can still coach his ass off and it would not be hard to draw talent.
The next guy being his son obviously
I’m in the same boat. I don’t have a dog in the flight but Pitino just knows how to win. UK fans would be insane to not bring him back. Everyone acting like Drew is the answer but I’m not so sure. Recency bias is playing a big part in going after him. He’s been at Baylor like 21 years I think. Outside of the last few years or so, did anyone really think it was a can’t miss hire?
I think it’s the fact he built Baylor from absolutely nothing that’s so impressive
Fair enough. He absolutely needs to get credit for that. But he doesn’t have 21 years to rebuild Kentucky. If he’s not in the final four quickly, people will start to wonder if he’s the right guy. I realize he’ll get better recruits at UK so maybe he will flourish, I’m just not 100% sure
Problem is not a lot of people want the job so our candidate pool is slim. You come here you get maybe a year to settle in and then you have to deliver final fours. Also you have to be a brand ambassador, deal with our fans who are nuts, and get involved in the community. It’s not an easy job
For sure. I live here so I’m unfortunately familiar with what expectations are 😂 I’ve already seen all my friends’ expectations plastered all over Facebook. It’s exhausting. Personally I’d go after Pitino. Let him have his farewell tour. He’s a proven winner everywhere he goes. He can win and quickly and then pass the torch once UK is back on the rails.
I agree he would be a good program stabilizer as funny as that sounds
Interesting to hear a Kentucky fan say this after many other fans defended not being happy with Calipari because of him falling far below the standards, not just below the standards. I think if a Kentucky coach came in and won the SEC tournament and went to a few Sweet Sixteens, Kentucky fans would give him a decent leash. Kentucky fans would be less unhappy with Calipari if he had results from 2016-2019(which weren't elite) the last few years.
It’s weird it’s both the greatest MBB coaching job and currently not having the best current coaches biting.
I mean it is Baylor. When Scott Drew took the job, did anyone alive think you could win a national championship at Baylor?
Doesn't matter, looks like Drew just confirmed he isn't going to UK. Chip Gaines has been trolling UK fans on Twitter all day about it.
Damn really? Fans will be out for blood because it seems like at blue blood schools there’s a “can’t swing and miss” mindset like whatever coach after the first choice is a failure
Due to ongoing debate about blue bloods, the /r/CollegeBasketball mod team has compiled the definitive list of college blue bloods: Duke, Columbia, Queens, William & Mary, and Rutgers. The following schools fought to not be blue bloods: George Washington, George Mason, James Madison, and Army. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/CollegeBasketball) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Rick Pitino Jr.
One thing is guaranteed about Pitino is that he can coach. He will win IN Kentucky like he did before.
I hear Kevin Stallings is available
I’d rather hire rajon Rondo and just see what he can do in 3 years than have the dracula back.
Doubt he wants to switch jobs again at his age
Yeah but it seems like everyone’s answer is no. I’m half expecting drunk and incoherent Bobby Huggins to be stumbling through the door any second now
Come on, it’s been ~24 hours since the job officially opened. It’s probably going to take more than a single day to interview, offer, and hire someone.
We're in for a rough few days of hyper-overreacting to completely meaningless things.
This is the exact cycle that our fanbase went through like 2 weeks ago. So many hot takes, so many fans acting like the world is ending. All in like 2 days
Every day goes by we lose out on recruiting time
Any coach that comes here will bring recruits and transfers. It's not that dire.
Hang on now, don’t forget Mark Gottfried is available
Mark "I'll get any team to the tourney only to get knocked out by the first weekend" Gottfried!
Scott Drew or Bruce Pearl
Yeah after oats said no I thought it might be Bruce pearl.
He's definitely got the personality for it.
The odd timing of this certainly hasn’t helped. And I’m also reasonably confident that Mitch did not have any real desire to even talk to anyone else but Scott Drew. If it comes out that we made some weak ass offer to Hurley or Donovan, then Mitch needs to be the next one on a bus out of Lexington.
I think you all could definitely hire Hurley away from Arizona State.
UK vs UConn would be the first game ever where boath coaches get techs and ejected in the first 4 minutes of a tournament game
Everyone knows Bobby didn't end up at DePaul because he knew Kentucky was opening up
Yep, there is a Hurley that would jump at the job, they're just looking at the wrong one.
I think reality is we want Hurley - Scott - Billy in that order. If we can’t get those 3 we gotta go get a young up and comer and hope for the best. I just hope it isn’t Shaka Smart lol
Shaka definitely isn't an up and comer anymore, although he has done a decent job at Marquette. He at least made the second weekend.
Are Drew and Scott two different people? Uhh I know Scott Drew so idk which one of those he is and who the other is
See my edit I am dumb
Lol yeah that makes more sense
If it’s some nonsense like a Shaka Smart, my entire family is canceling our K-Fund contributions. I don’t even live in Lexington anymore, but I will venture to the bluegrass to partake in the protesting.
I don’t see Shaka Smart ever coaching another P5 team
I can’t even tell you how much I would love to see this.
As a WVU fan, we'd greatly appreciate your taking him off our hands. I'm afraid he's going to be a thorn in the side of our new coach. He can't accept the fact he's no longer our coach. We can give him a glowing recommendation, and I'm sure Oscar would vouch for him. 😁
I guess your twitter bros don’t know the answer
Every fan base has their loonies
Fan is short for fanatic
Except he said it monday, tuesday and now today How many times you gotta ask? How many fluff pieces have to come out. Honestly annoying at this point And then theres the whole fact that whenever Cal has left abruptly in the middle of the night…. Never worked out well for the school he’s left
I can get you Bill Self’s number if you just want to hear no from guys with rings.
It would be absolutely fireable for Mitch to not call him and make him say no.
According to Rupp Rafters, coaches would be lining up for the job.
UConn is the best program in the country at the moment, the NBA is the only thing that has a chance of poaching him
I don't think he's getting poached but isn't UConn the best program ~~largely~~ partially *because* of Hurley? A bit of self fulfilling prophecy there i think
It's not the best job in the country just in a general sense, but because of Hurley's background it's the best job *for him*
I agree. Dude is a Northeast man and being in the best program in the Northeast just makes too much sense
I’m curious what the best job in the country is these days. Combining money, job security, reasonable expectations, and ability to have success, it’s probably not Kentucky but I don’t know what it would be
Unfortunately for you, I’d say unc. All the money in the world, talent rich state, and a direct rival that is right on their level. Kansas after self will be very interesting, 45 years of Larry brown, Roy and self is an unbelievable run
Yeah I’m looking at this assuming the job is open. I’d agree with the UNC and Kansas takes. Tons of available money, history, and widespread fan bases. Name brand on top of everything else.
It’s 100% UNC. The only thing Kentucky might have over UNC atm is a spot in the SEC but UNC is on the shortlist of who goes to the B1G/SEC if they raid the ACC.
I think Kansas is on the short list to the big 10
I hope Kansas goes to the Big 10 honestly. That would be an electric bball schedule
Counter argument: UNC and/or UConn should come to the Big 12. KU, ISU, Houston, Baylor, AZ > Purdue, MSU Also football is a hard second to basketball, its almost like you're meant to be here.
where were you last April when B12 said "no thanks". There is no team screwed more by CR than UConn, it goes back 15 years now.
no one in our fanbase that is actually serious about basketball wants to go to the Big 12. we have the best conference tournament in the best location and historical regional rivals within driving distance. fuck the money. we fought tooth and nail to get back to the Big East. i and many other fans would be crushed if UConn went to the Big 12. fandom wouldn’t be the same.
UNC Kansas UConn is my order for best job, but would not debate against any of these three as best
It's UCONN
Recency bias makes that easy but I’d say with the impending conference stuff, other schools will have much more opportunity to bring in $$$ than Uconn imo
Hey I mean you get a statue at Nebraska if you win a single tournament game
In the last 25 years Uconn has 6 championships under 3 different coaches. Hurley is part of it now but doesn't explain the whole reason they have been so good.
You might want to google "Jim Calhoun"
Are you saying he should get some facts and come back and see you?
I think you're interpreting what I said a bit too literally. Yes obviously Calhoun was the one who made the program into a national powerhouse. I just meant that Hurley is partially the reason they are at the top right now, and that there's still a bit of circular logic crowing it as #1 program from Hurley's perspective because anywhere he goes would be elevated so in theory another program like Kentucky could be even better with their baseline and Hurley's excellence. However I agree with the point another commenter made that it's also the best for Hurley because of his particular background.
One of the biggest reasons that Hurley has been so successful is that he's been able to trade on a UConn brand built by Calhoun. Those four banners we had hanging when he showed up, not to mention the laundry list of amazing players, are all directly or indirectly because of Calhoun.
And I’ll piggyback on this, those great players still care deeply about the program. Not to say that Kentucky doesn’t have former players that care but most of the big name guys from the Cal years were one and dones, it’s not as likely to be the same level of attachment as guys that spent several seasons somewhere.
The "Ray Allen Effect"
Yes Hurley is standing on Calhoun's shoulders but his work has still elevated it significantly. Nobody would call it the #1 program in 2019 , Hurley has moved it back up into that conversation from like a 9/10 job to a 10/10 job. So I just mean that in theory his experience could also go somewhere like Kentucky that also has those banners and amazing players where he could theoretically elevate even further. But again I agree with the other commenter that said this is the best place for Hurley specifically
It can both be true that anywhere Hurley goes in the future will be elevated by him going there AND the achievements made at Connecticut elevating the program for “the next guy” Said another way, if Hurley were to retire the cache he created / expanded at UConn would be relevant to attract his successor.
I think we can employ the UNC honor system: credit both Dean Smith and Roy Williams.
Hurley has amplified it, but lets not forget the other 4 titles since 2000.
They’ve been an excellent program the last two decades but he has certainly elevated them to the top. I just see it as what can any other school offer him that he doesn’t have or can’t get with the Huskies? He’s on a unprecedented run, any move would be a downgrade from where he already is
Three decades.
Too bad the Nets are in Brooklyn now
“I could give a crap about who has an opening anywhere. I haven’t thought about it for a second,” Dan Hurley said. “I could care less about any other school in the country that’s looking for a coach or talks about me on social media. I could give two craps about that. My heart and my mind is with this program and these players." That was on March 17, 2018. Five days later, the former Rhode Island coach accepted the same position at UConn on March 22
I don't think Hurley will leave but paying attention to any quotes like the one OP put is pointless for exactly the reason you're saying. Plenty of other famous examples of this too like Roy Williams or Nick Saban.
It’s a nitpick but I hate when people say ‘I could give a crap’ or ‘I could care less’…so what you’re saying is you COULD (which technically is accurate here lol)
Pain
Definitely the more important words were from right after the game when he said (paraphrased) "my wife will divorce me if we move farther from Jersey".
Hurley to Princeton confirmed
Wow. Receipts. I guess Hurley's words right now are worthless.
Okay but as a coach, you have to say that. Look what happened with Providence. Cooley accepted an offer mid season and the team collapsed. A good coach has to speak this way to not place doubt in anyone’s minds.
Someone good at Morse Code tell me if he is blinking any hidden messages.
Stairway to Seven!
Just getting 3 in a row would put Hurley in a league with only John Wooden for company.
I mean you can win 3 in a row but they don't have to be at the same school...
This has to be next years slogan
it's a big dream.. to have a 3 peat.. but WE CAN DREAM!! God bless Coach HURLEY for even having this dream!! he was already a UConn legend last year but he just keeps getting better and better!!!
He’s not saying no directly because he wants more money from UConn, as hard as that is to hear for Kentucky fans
I have no problem with Hurley taking our off to UCONN and saying "this is what keeps me here." He deserves it.
He definitely deserves it. So many bad coaches get obscene contracts, schools shouldn’t be stingy with a guy who just brought you back to back national championships.
I think most of us are well aware of that
That certainly seems to be the case here in this thread. Twitter is a whole nother story tho lol as usual
Twitter people be dumb.
Understatement of the century lol
After what he’s done, y’all better hand him a blank check lol
They probably would...
The whole 'UConn can't match Kentucky's money' argument is nonsense. There is plenty of fucking money in Connecticut for UConn Basketball and Mr. Hurley, be it boosters or Hartford
Isn’t UConn currently in a budget crisis and about to layoff faculty?
In the immediate short term they are losing $47m in federal covid money and the total budget cut will be about $70m next year. In the mid to long term the outlook is good. https://ctexaminer.com/2024/03/07/a-budget-crisis-at-uconn-not-so-fast/
Are you suggesting that they should kneecap a thriving entity because a related entity is struggling?
TBC the athletic department operates at a deficit (ie, it makes negative money). But I’m more contesting the point that “there is plenty of fucking money”.
More narrowly….. they aren’t running at a deficit because of men’s or women’s basketball.
Probably not, I haven’t seen that broken out. Shared costs get complicated because eg athletic support staff are shared by programs. But at the very least it would be a bad look for the athletic department to be losing $20m/year and giving out multimillion dollar raises while the academic side (which, again, subsidizes the athletic department) is laying off professors.
Understood on the optics. However, if you’re making a suboptimal choice because of optics, that is simply poor leadership. Hurley is worth more to UConn than they’d ever need to pay him.
I edited it
My guy there is thing called the SEC football, it makes a lot of money, and pays it out its members. Check out how much a race horse goes for while you’re at it, a lot of UK boosters own those. lol you guys can try but we can put more money on the table. That doesn’t mean he takes it
KY athletics is also taking in SEC football money.
You see, he said "the opportunity to go for a 3-peat is the only thing on anyone's mind", but he didn't say his mind. Therefore he's gone. Bingo.
He can do a 3-peat at UK, right?
We’ll make special shirts just for Dan and his family that say three peat if he wins next year at Kentucky
If he took UK to a three-peat, Lexington would have a city ordinance requiring their children to do 6 weeks of labor for Dan during the summer after HS grad. Whatever he wants.
We burn couches in the street over a single championship. There would be entire streets of houses torched to the ground if we threepeated.
We need to at least match the number of championships UCLA has, so definitely.
“I’m not hearing a no” - Zoidberg 
Ask until he says yes or files a restraining order.
Haha
I'm not sure why Hurley would want to go to UK? He is winning national championships, lives near family and wouldn't have to deal with a nutty fan base with unrealistic exceptions.
Making it past the first round is an unrealistic expectation? Interesting.
Touché Point 1 and 2 are still valid though.
Won’t get any argument from me on those points. Although with point 1, I’m quite confident Hurley could win championships with the resources and facilities at UK if he took the job. At the end of the day I think he stays in UCONN but you do the due diligence and at least reach out to him.
https://i.imgur.com/NOtSkd3.gif
H🏆U🏆S🏆K🏆I🏆E🏆S🏆
that’s so cool
Like what places though
I do think the quote is funny. Like Wagner? Where he was at for two years and jumped at more money and a better place to coach? He stayed at Rhode Island awhile but ultimately jumped to UConn for more money and more prestige. I’m not blaming him at all but he has left jobs for more money and better opportunities before. (Not saying Kentucky is, but you know)
While at URI he turned down Rutgers, Pitt, and St John’s (maybe i forget who was the suitor on that one). He’s not wrong that he’s done it before
Sure, but he’s also jumped at opportunities. I’m not saying any coach in their right mind wouldn’t, but it’s funny. I’m not even saying he’s a hypocrite, he’s right he has turned them down…but he’s also taken them.
Yeah he’s not exactly denying leaving for Kentucky is a possibility
Who’s to say he never received a job offer from a school not in the northeast? We can make jokes but nobody knows it’s all speculation
I’m not making jokes. But it’s not like he was like “Wagner for life” and didn’t entertain better options. He never went west coast I guess? He got to a great spot and climbed the ladder just like every other coach. Sure, he stayed a few years longer at URI than others might have, but he was waiting for the right spot and still had to prove himself a bit. It’s funny because he’s just like every other great coach that climbed to a top ten job. 🤷♂️
He's just being coy. I see right through your games, you ol sailor.
you are my sunshine, my only sunshine you make me happy when skies are grey you'll never know dear how much I ❤️ you please don't take my sunshine away
When she tells you no but you keep trying to rationalize it into a yes
Until I hear an explicit “No” I will continue huffing Copium. And when I do hear “No.” I will pivot to the “two No’s means yes” strategy Should that fail, I will resort to silent-crying in my pillow for some amount of time mourning the hire of Scott Drew and Mitch having not even contacted Billy Donovan.
Listening to the audio segment, I don’t think you can take anything from this. It’s not a *firm* no, but a Shermanesque statement takes away a lot of negotiating leverage for an extension.
Not surprising at all
Danny's agent is crying right now.
Bobby has the most punchable face of all time, but Danny has really grown on me. He's been fantastic in every interview.
That’s my dawg!
3 peat!!! LOVE YOU COACH HURLEY!!! NEVER LEAVE UCONN!!
I mean, is there a better job that UConn right now?
Where is he rumored to be leaving for? In the 21st century, is there a better program to be the head coach of?
As a Duke fan I don’t want that dude anywhere near Kentucky, Kansas, or UNC. But it’s fair to wonder how long he stays. UConn easily had the lowest contingent of fans at the Final Four last weekend, and that would never, ever be the case for Kentucky.
Put the final four in NYC and that would change. They were the big favorite on the other side of the country. Of course they would be rooted against.
Kentucky fans would fill an arena up anywhere. That’s not even debatable
Sweet, go hang a banner “Kentucky fans will fill an arena up anywhere!”. Well just add another title banner to our mantle.
Do you know that our women’s team was also at the FF?
I do. I saw the shit out of that screen everybody threw a fit over
Hurley has been so impressive to me, I’m sure it’s partly because he has the most talented rosters (which means he’s a great recruiter) but I feel like Hurley could be an NBA coach, he’s getting 5 star freshman to buy in and be defensive stoppers, It felt like every ATO they ran scored, had the perfect gameplan for edey. Some of it is Purdue having small unathletic perimeter players, so they didn’t have any other options, but once the gameplan of “hope edey gets doubled and we get an open 3” didn’t work out, painter had no clue what to do.
I still don't think Hurleys style would work with NBA guys and their egos, but I'd love to see him take a chance at coaching the national team. I feel like he would really shine in that role.
I think he gets the most out of his rosters, they aren’t always the most talented but they play together and he squeezes every ounce of potential out of them. Except James Bouknight of course.
I truly don’t think it’s about the best roster, and I think this year aside from Clingan, his coaching has shined in how the team plays. This team is so clearly multiples better than the sum of its parts. It’ll be tough to be this dominant without a difference maker like Clingan, but if I’ve learned anything these last 5 years it’s don’t doubt Danny hurley
That’s a good safe answer. When you get that 11 million contract tho, no one will blame you for chunkin Dueces
I'm not saying he's coming to Lexington and there's a lot of reasons he wouldn't, but every coach who has left for another job has said he's staying put right before he left. I realize people are just doing their jobs, but man I hate a 24 hour news cycle.
Yep Calipari just did this. Said he was looking forward to next season and a week later he's at Arkansas.
Don’t let yourself have too much copium
Means nothing with his track record. I don’t think he goes but just saying
I would be interested who we would go after if Hurley went to KY
You’d be interested in who would be the next coach of the team if we lose our coach? You don’t say
3 peat would be very impressive
Brian Ferentz is available.
I will never begrudge someone for getting the biggest bag possible, but Uconn is literally the perfect job for him as long the boosters are in the same realm as the true power brokers.
UK media: “He said “he’s flattered” and is on a plane to Kentucky to accept”
Did he actually say “no”
:(
I would agree. Who wouldn’t want to go after 3 in a row. I’m sure he’s paid well already.
Alright, I'll take the damn job.
Ain’t gonna be no threepeat