Give the Lakers credit for aiming big. They are targeting UConn's Dan Hurley as their next head coach per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, preparing a massive long-term contract offer for the back-to-back NCAA national champion.
All signs have pointed to the job being essentially JJ Redick's, so Thursday's early morning news came as a surprise. But it makes sense given Hurley's impeccable coaching resume.
That interest had been brewing all along, according to Wojnarowski. Hurley had "been at the forefront of the Lakers' search from the beginning of the process" due to the Lakers' desire to combine "his tactical acumen and elite player development -- with the storied Lakers' brand."
Fellow UConn icon Geno Auriemma reiterated as much, telling Hurley he believes he has the minerals to lead Los Angeles back to the promised land.
The deal is not done between Hurley and the Lakers yet, though.
The UConn head coach met with his players Thursday to inform them that he has been in talks with Los Angeles, according to Big East insider John Fanta. Hurley told his player it's "business as usual for now."
Here's why Hurley is such an intriguing option for the Lakers if he makes the leap to the NBA.
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Dan Hurley is a great candidate to coach the Lakers
There are few that would be more qualified for this job than Hurley. He's the first men's college coach to win back-to-back national championships since Billy Donovan did it with Florida in 2007. Hurley's 141-58 career record in college is impressive on its face, as is his NCAA tournament record of 12 consecutive double-digit wins.
UConn dominated this past season, going 37-3 and rolling through the NCAA tournament. That came in large part due to Hurley's strategies. No other coach incorporates as much movement into their offenses. His sets are complicated and more precise than a Swiss watch, leading to great shots for his team.
That play style has caught the eye of LeBron, who "has been impressed with Hurley's sophisticated offensive actions," according to Wojnarowski.
Hurley has also developed his players well. Donovan Clingan and Stephon Castle are widely considered to be lottery picks in this upcoming draft. That could be another benefit for LeBron if the team decides to take Bronny with their no. 55 pick in the draft.
Hurley has coaching in his blood. His father was a legendary high school coach in New Jersey, winning 26 state championships. His brother was a two-time national champion with Duke and coaches at Arizona State. He was born for this job.
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Why Lakers might choose Dan Hurley over JJ Redick
There are some potential issues that Hurley could encounter if he does decide to accept the Lakers' offer.
First among them is building a relationship with LeBron James. He's not an easy star to coach. Being a great tactician is not enough — he once tried to get Eric Spoelstra fired. Hurley with be the 10th coach of James' career.
Hurley's personality will also be an interesting litmus test on what does and doesn't work in the NBA. It has increasingly become a players' league, far different from the college ranks where coaches have more authority. Will that pose a challenge for Hurley, who has never been afraid of expressing his both positive and negative emotions?
"I'm a crier," Hurley recently told FOX Sports. "I laugh, I yell and I cry. Jim Valvano said that's a full day.
Redick was an attractive option for much different reasons. Knowing how to pace players throughout a much more grueling season is one of the biggest and least appreciated aspects of the job. Other college coaches have failed in that regard, most recently evidenced by John Beilein's short and disastrous tenure with the Cavs.
Redick's 15 years of NBA experience would have given him a huge advantage. His already built-in relationship with James was another checkmark for him.
Hurley is the more proven tactician and winner. He has a history of player development that completely outclasses Redick's. You don't know what will happen when you sit in that front seat, which the Lakers saw first-hand with long-time assistant Darvin Ham. Hurley is a much lower risk for the team.
The next big question is if Hurley will even want the job. He has a great setup at UConn after signing a six year, $31.5 million extension last summer.
The interest in Hurley is coming at the perfect time for him. Coaching salaries are growing massively ever since the Pistons broke the bank with a six year, $78.5 million deal. Hurley could more than double his salary with a move to the NBA.
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Hurley is going to earn that money, because the Lakers job might be one of the toughest in the league. He will be under intense scrutiny, both internally and externally. This is the same team that had six sources throwing Ham under the bus midway through the year and fired Frank Vogel only two years after winning a championship.
Hurley's past experience has shown that he's up to that challenge. It will be fascinating to see how he does.
