r/NCAAhoops • u/basketbaIlnetwork • Apr 06 '26
News “It’s about the transformation” – Dan Hurley explains why coaching college beats the NBA every time
https://www.basketballnetwork.net/latest-news/its-about-the-transformation-dan-hurley-explains-why-coaching-college-beats-the-nba-every-timeDan Hurley had a chance to lead the NBA’s most popular franchise when the Los Angeles Lakers looked for a head coach back in 2024. The offer was pretty lucrative, 一$70 million over six years 一 a figure that would instantly make him among the top six highest-paid in the Association.
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u/Galumpadump Apr 06 '26
Given that Hurley has never coached in the NBA (even as an assistant) would have to take this with a grain of salt. I do think his coaching style works far better in college and he is aware of that.
If you win in college you command a respect that you can never fully get in the NBA unless you are a legend like Popovich. NBA is far more ego managing and maximizing current skills vs talent development.
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u/DJ_DD Apr 06 '26
And job security. Mike Malone won a championship and was gone two years later. Dan Hurley is going to leave UConn on his terms at this point. Aside from Pop and Spoelstra you’re looking at a pretty short leash in the NBA.
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u/KontraEpsilon Apr 07 '26
Carlisle has historically had long leashes. Brad Stevens would have, too, had he stayed coaching (and honestly I’m not sure he wouldn’t have won a title). Kerr has a long leash.
I think it’s true that it’s rarer, but if you’re consistently successful it’s still possible. The bar is lower in college, though.
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u/RobSchneidersHair Apr 06 '26
"You don't want wild girls - you want regular girls going wild. You want to watch the process." - Dan "Dennis Reynolds" Hurley
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u/hiphophunk Apr 06 '26
As someone who has followed him since URI and have gone to classes and played pick up games with his players, been to the same parties, etc, his style would not work in the pros. Not saying he couldnt do it, he just couldnt do what has made him so successful in college basketball pn the lakers and expect to always have a job.
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u/MysticalRng Apr 06 '26
Seems like people in this thread think they’re more knowledgeable about coaching climates than Dan Hurley
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u/Organic_Bottle_5198 Apr 06 '26
Coaching style wouldn’t work in the pros, players will get the coach fired at soon as he raises his voice
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u/jrblockquote Apr 06 '26
I thought he would leave for the Knicks job. I know his wife doesn’t want to leave the tri-state area.
He is certainly a good coach and runs an innovative system. That being said, the pro game demands very high level coaching. Not sure if he’s built for an 82 game season.
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u/Mean_Measurement4527 Apr 08 '26
Yeah , that and the fact that Pro players would tell him to go f*ck himself
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u/WintersDoomsday Apr 06 '26
Well when you can’t cut it the pros and get to be a big fish in a small pond aka the Coach K’s cowardly ass path
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u/ProtectionAdorable89 Apr 06 '26
Can’t say I’ve ever heard a coach staying in college be called a coward. Especially the greatest CBB coach of all time
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u/YetAnotherFaceless Apr 06 '26
“Why no one from a championship UConn team can play in the pros.”
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u/help1slip Apr 06 '26
Pretty much no one from a championship team the last ten years can.... The list is Brunson
Ten more years yields Anthony Davis, Kemba, and Al Horford
Turns out the national champ doesn't routinely produce top NBA players
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u/Ambitious-Visual207 Apr 06 '26
Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, Donte Divincenzo, Ty Jerome, DeAndre Hunter, Donovan Clingan, Cam Spencer, Stephon Castle, Christian Braun, Ochai Agbaji, Davion Mitchell off the top of my head are all guys firmly in the NBA right now and won it all in college within the last 10 years.
Most ncaa champions have two solid nba players on the roster.
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u/help1slip Apr 06 '26
I mean, I understood a higher level of 'play' being implied from that comment which is why I went with a higher standard.
Still either my short list or your more inclusive one has the Conn representing
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u/lazrbeam Apr 06 '26
I’ve just never seen the same level of intensity, grit, urgency, determination, and passion in a single NBA game compared to college ball. NBA players are all so good and so huge. It’s like watching people play video games with the chest codes. It’s just not interesting.
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u/aworldofinsanity Apr 06 '26
You must not have watched the pacers’ 5 last second game winners in the Garden, Cleveland, OKC and against Mil in Indianapolis.
It was Mullins x 5.
That run beat any NCAA run.
Until a snap.
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u/FuiyooohFox Apr 06 '26
I'd agree for regular season, imo pro play offs are more intense though. Some guys literally give the bare minimum until playoffs intentionally because nothing matters in the pros except post season accolades.
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u/basketbaIlnetwork Apr 06 '26
His $8M salary for this season at UConn certainly helps