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UConn’s Dan Hurley is Trending After Major Knicks Coaching News originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley, who has won two NCAA titles with the program, could have been hired by the Los Angeles Lakers in June 2024. In fact, the New Jersey native turned down their six-year, $70 million contract offer to remain with the Huskies, via ESPN.
The Lakers then hired 2006 No. 11 overall pick JJ Redick, who had never previously coached other than volunteering with his nine-year-old son’s team at Brooklyn Basketball Academy. Los Angeles went 50-32 and earned the Western Conference’s third seed under his leadership this season before getting bounced in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Meanwhile, Hurley took UConn to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, losing 77-75 to No. 1 Florida.
Now, he’s being mentioned by fans on social media as a worthy candidate for the New York Knicks after they fired Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday.
Knicks Film School’s DJ Zullo floated the idea that New York could have a better shot at landing Hurley than Los Angeles did in 2024.
“The same people that felt confident Hurley would turn down the Lakers do NOT share that same optimism should the Knicks come calling,” he said.
“If there was ever a time and a team for Dan Hurley to jump to the NBA…it’s now. The Knicks are the one job he would covet,” another person said. “They are a championship contender with great leaders and an All-NBA lead guard.”
“I absolutely hate this [Thibodeau’s firing]. Awful. Terrible. But… I’ve said that if the Knicks make change there’s only 1 name. Dan Hurley,” another one said.
“I think Dan Hurley to the Knicks is like a 35% possibility, but I think they will go another direction,” another one said. “Just a hunch, but time moves quickly and he’s not the flavor of the month anymore.”
“The Knicks need Dan Hurley,” another one said. “This guy is one of the best basketball coaches in the world at any level. He will take them to a level they won’t even believe, like he did with UConn, and bring a championship back to NY for the first time in 52 years. It’s an obvious move.”
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
