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A week removed from Hurley's Rhode Island team's victory over Trae Young and the 10th-seeded Oklahoma Sooners in the NCAA Tournament - and five days out from a loss to second-seeded Duke - UConn made it official, naming Hurley as the new coach of the heralded program.
Hurley, 45, signed a six-year deal, according to reports, though financials have not been disclosed. He replaces Kevin Ollie, who was fired earlier this month following his fourth season. Ollie brought one title to UConn in his second season, though the rest have been subpar, including several missed NCAA Tournament efforts.
According to reports, Hurley chose UConn over other offers, including Pittsburgh of the ACC, which reportedly offered Hurley a $3 million a year contract. Rhode Island reportedly offered Hurley a seven-year, $14 million contract extension.
One of Hurley’s URI assistants, Tom Moore, is also expected to join his UConn staff. Moore was an assistant at UConn for 13 seasons before taking over as head coach at Quinnipiac.
A former star at Seton Hall, Hurley took over a struggling Rhody Rams program and made it a perennial contender in less than six years, including the school’s second Atlantic 10 championship in history.
His resume includes multiple NCAA Tournament victories and several players who earned all Atlantic 10 honors on both ends of the court. Hurley was also named the United States Basketball Writers Association District I Coach of the Year in 2015.
Hurley is from a basketball family. His dad, Bob Hurley Sr., enjoyed an illustrious career coaching high school hoops in New Jersey. Hurley's brother, former Duke star Bobby Hurley, is head coach at Arizona State, which joined Rhode Island in the 68-team NCAA Tournament.
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