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Dan Hurley had a brief flirtation with suitors outside of the UConn Huskies this past offseason after winning his second straight national championship. While his courtship with the Los Angeles Lakers received the most attention, a number of college programs also made their pitches.
Hurley was in line for a massive raise at UConn. Others believed they could outmatch any contract the Huskies offered. Kentucky reportedly went all in on landing his services after John Calipari bolted for Arkansas.
The Wildcats wanted to throw historic money at Hurley. Their price was rumored to be in the $11-12 million range. It would’ve made him the highest paid coach in college sports – not just basketball. Hurley said no!
Kentucky turned its search to alum Mark Pope, who now has the Wildcats off to a 5-0 start in Lexington. That includes a win over Duke. He seems to have things trending in the right direction. Fans believe they got their guy!
They’re now taking a victory lap after seeing Dan Hurley fall to Memphis earlier this week. After that loss, the coach criticized officials for their part in the final result. He landed a technical foul late in the two-point overtime defeat, which wound up being the difference.
His postgame press conference offered a stark contrast to that of Mark Pope’s when put in a similar position. Kentucky doesn’t believe Hurley would’ve been a culture fit.
The duality of man.
Mark Pope vs Dan Hurley talking about officiating.
Pope: “The referees have no power whether we win or lose the game…”
Hurley: “How you could call that is just beyond me. I’ve never seen the one ref before…” pic.twitter.com/iSBmlsBuQW
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) November 26, 2024
Hurley blamed the officials after the loss. Pope puts the blame on his team.
The UConn coach caught tons of flak following that postgame outburst as he insinuated that his status as national champion should’ve made referees swallow the whistle on a late foul call. It wasn’t the best look.
Hurley has always been animated on the sidelines and in his interviews. Mark Pope is more laid back. The Kentucky Wildcats, at this point, seem happy with the way things worked out.