Chasing a Three-Peat: Dan Hurley’s Commitment to UConn Trumps Kentucky’s Offer

Dan Hurley is staying in Storrs, Connecticut, and is determined to win a national championship three times, despite Kentucky making a sizable offer to the head coach of college basketball at the moment, sources said FOX Sports on Thursday afternoon.

Hurley was the first name to surface in the candidate pool when Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart tried to make a splash following John Calipari’s departure for Arkansas earlier this week. Hurley led the Huskies to consecutive national titles, making them the first program to do so since Billy Donovan’s Florida Gators in 2006 and 2007.

Strangely enough, Donovan, who worked as Rick Pitino’s coach at Kentucky in the 1990s, is also being considered for the position.

Hurley, the Naismith Coach of the Year, is not kidding around, either. He is 68-11 over the last two seasons and recently guided Connecticut to one of the most dominant seasons in the annals of men’s college basketball. According to sources who spoke with FOX Sports, UConn athletic director Dave Benedict and his colleagues will boost their financial support for Hurley and his staff in addition to making program improvements.

Prior to Hurley’s seventh year in charge, Benedict declared earlier this week that he would do everything in his power to support him. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont then went on to add that he would “pay for success” if Hurley received a raise at the state university.

Hurley’s spouse, Andrea, also provided input on this matter, and family-friendly sources expressed to FOX Sports the Hurleys’ happiness with their new home in Connecticut. Hurley enjoys life on the crest of college basketball, but UConn’s location is crucial to their family’s happiness as well, since Dan’s father, the illustrious Bob Sr., lives in New Jersey.

Hurley has two sons: Andrew, who was a walk-on for the Huskies and may one day work for his father, and Danny, who is employed in New Jersey. That being said, Hurley’s decision to pass on one blue blood and remain at the one he has rebuilt makes far too much sense.

John Fanta works for FOX Sports as a writer and national college basketball broadcaster. He calls games on FS1, serves as the principal host on the BIG EAST Digital Network, and offers commentary on The Field of 68 Media Network, among other roles covering the sport. Become a fan of @John_Fanta on Twitter.