WPRO NewsÂ
A day after his resignation was announced as Rhode Island’s head basketball coach after six years, Dan Hurley was introduced Friday as the new Connecticut coach, saying coaching at UConn was “a dream come true”.
Hurley, a member of a legendary basketball coaching family said leaving URI was bittersweet, but said that as a fan, “UConn’s been my favorite college basketball program”.
Hurley signed a six-year deal, reportedly worth $2.75 million in the first year.
“It’s humbling to lead this storied program. UConn is one of the great brands in all of college basketball. The championship culture that’s been established through the great teams … is special for me to be a part of,” Hurley said at an afternoon news conference at the campus at Storrs.
“Dan Hurley has been a successful coach and is the perfect fit to lead our men’s basketball program,” said UConn Athletic Director David Benedict.
“Dan really does deserve to be at the college basketball capital of the world, which is UConn,” said university president Susan Herbst.
Hurley said he will have a great opportunity to learn from legendary former UConn men’s coach Jim Calhoun and Geno Auriemma, coach of the women’s basketball team at Connecticut.
Hurley said that he would wait until URI hires a new head coach before hiring his own staff.
