Dan Hurley has secured a substantial payday.
The 51-year-old head coach has signed a lucrative six-year, $50 million contract extension with the UConn Huskies, keeping him at the helm through 2030.
This new deal, which averages $8.3 million per year, positions Hurley as the third-highest-paid coach in college basketball, trailing only Kansas’s Bill Self and Kentucky’s John Calipari.
The UConn Huskies website outlines the contract details, highlighting that Hurley’s responsibilities extend far beyond coaching basketball. “Coming off back-to-back national titles, Hurley will receive a base salary of $400,000 per year and additional compensation for speaking, consulting, and media obligations amounting to $6.375 million for the 2024-25 season. This compensation will escalate each year throughout the contract term. He will also receive a retention bonus of $1 million annually. The increases in Coach Hurley’s salary and other program investments will be funded through donations to the Husky Athletic Fund and increased ticket sales revenue.”
The contract’s specifics, particularly the substantial sum allocated for speaking, consulting, and media duties, coupled with a hefty retention bonus, underscore the multifaceted role Hurley plays within the program.
More than six million dollars for non-coaching activities and a yearly retention bonus demonstrate the significant value placed on his presence and contributions to the Huskies.
Interestingly, Hurley recently considered an offer from the Los Angeles Lakers, reportedly turning down a more lucrative six-year, $70 million deal. This NBA contract would have positioned him as the sixth highest-paid coach in the league.
However, Hurley chose to remain with UConn, where he is on the cusp of cementing his legacy, especially with the potential turmoil surrounding Calipari’s position at Kentucky, making Hurley a candidate to ascend even higher in the college coaching ranks.
The decision between coaching at a storied NBA franchise like the Lakers and continuing his tenure at UConn boils down to legacy. At UConn, Hurley is not just another coach; he is building a lasting legacy, especially after leading the Huskies to back-to-back national championships.
This opportunity to become a legendary figure in college basketball offers a unique and invaluable reward that extends beyond monetary compensation.
While the financial aspects of Hurley’s new contract are impressive, the chance to solidify his legacy at a blue-blood basketball school like UConn is priceless.
Nevertheless, an annual salary of eight million dollars provides a fitting foundation for such an esteemed position in college basketball.
