About a year ago, rumors began circulating that UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley was a prime candidate for the head coach position with the Los Angeles Lakers. The speculation gained traction online, especially after Hurley led UConn to back-to-back national championships, sparking discussion on whether he would transition from college basketball to the NBA to coach superstar LeBron James in Los Angeles.
Hurley chose to stay at UConn, but with another major NBA coaching vacancy now open, could history repeat itself? Hurley’s name has resurfaced as a potential candidate after the New York Knicks announced they were parting ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau. Thibodeau, 52, spent his entire coaching career on the East Coast and hails from New Jersey.
Following a somewhat disappointing season at UConn, finishing with a 24-11 record and an early NCAA Tournament exit against Florida, the question arises: will Hurley consider moving to the NBA to lead the Knicks? Fox Sports college basketball reporter John Fanta weighed in on “The Herd” regarding Hurley’s chances of becoming the Knicks’ next coach.
Fanta doesn’t believe the situation will escalate to the level it did last year with the Lakers and Hurley. He mentioned that if Hurley did express interest, the Knicks might at least have some discussions, but the likelihood of a hire seems low right now. “Hiring Dan Hurley would be a splash,” Fanta acknowledged, “and although he’s an outstanding college coach, I just don’t see it happening here.”
Hurley is not the only college coach linked to the Knicks job. Former Villanova coach Jay Wright is also among the top contenders, partly because several of his former Villanova players — Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart — are key parts of the Knicks’ roster. Fanta speculated that these players might reach out to Wright to encourage a coaching return in New York.
However, Fanta quickly dismissed the possibility of Wright leaving his current role as a CBS Sports analyst and enjoying his time outside of coaching. “Jay Wright is content with his lifestyle and would only return to coaching at Villanova,” said Fanta. “He’s not going anywhere.”
Fan Take: This potential coaching change is crucial for basketball fans because it highlights the growing trend of successful college coaches being considered for NBA roles, signaling a blending of the two basketball worlds. If a coach like Hurley or Wright were to make the jump, it could usher in fresh coaching strategies and elevate the performance and excitement in the NBA.
