GLENDALE, Ariz. — With Kentucky's coaching job expected to officially open Tuesday, UConn's Danny Hurley said Monday night he plans to stay with the Huskies and win a third straight national title.
After UConn defeated Purdue, 75-60, to become repeat NCAA Tournament champions, Hurley addressed the opening with some humor, telling reporters he “didn't think it was a concern” when asked about Kentucky. He said they should ask his wife, Andrea, a New Jersey native.
“Oh my God, Kentucky or wherever is going to take her further away from New Jersey,” she said when asked about her reaction to a potential move. “I mean, we went to Rhode Island and I had to drag her out, and then I went to Connecticut. I got close to her. Now more? I can't get a divorce now. I started making money. .”
Hurley gave some insight into what's next for his plan: “Now you're thinking in your head, I'm looking in the locker room, about the chance to do it three times like a dynasty in modern times. I mean, that's what I'm thinking.”
UConn officials agree with that thinking, and they gave Hurley a big new contract last year in the wake of his first national title at UConn. Hurley made $5 million this season as part of a six-year deal announced in June.
UConn athletic director David Benedict told ESPN that people are proud to mention Hurley in job offers, a sign that people think he's “the best coach in the country.”
Benedict said he looks forward to another round of conversations with Hurley.
“Let's move as quickly as possible,” Benedict told ESPN. “I mean, we're not even an hour postgame. But we're looking forward to having conversations with the coach or his agent and making sure we're all in a good place.
“It's no different than what we did last year. We'll continue to do everything we can to put him, his staff and this program in position to compete for championships. Of course part of that is retention, so we want to keep people.”
Hurley said his focus is on UConn next year — which will begin during Tuesday's trip.
“On the flight home tomorrow, we'll start talking about what the roster will look like,” he said. “Obviously, we're graduating some players. We're going to lose a couple early NBA starters. We're going to dive in and put together a roster that can play a comparable level of basketball to what you have. I've seen it the last two years. I know what our mindset is going to be.”
Following the news that John Calipari was finalizing a deal with Arkansas, Hurley became the second Final Four coach to remove his name from consideration for the Kentucky job before it was officially open. Alabama coach Nate Oates issued a statement He announced earlier Monday that he was staying in Tuscaloosa.
