Why Dan Hurley chose to stay at UConn, and what's next for Huskies head coach

Dan Hurley became the new face of men's college basketball when he and his UConn Huskies wrapped up a second consecutive national title this past April, catapulting the head coach into company with Mike Krzyzewski and Billy Donovan as the only men's college coaches to win back-to-back titles in the last 40 years. Hurley has images of John Wooden around his office, and looks to the basketball legend as an inspiration, wanting to join him as the only other men's college hoops coach to win three consecutive national titles.

The drive for history, his Northeast family roots, and a loyalty to Alex Karaban — who tested the NBA Draft waters — along with players he brought in such as five-star freshman Liam McNeeley and transfers Aidan Mahaney and Tarris Reed, all propelled Hurley to staying at UConn for what will be his seventh season. 

In turning down the Lakers, Hurley passed on a chance to go to the NBA after being offered a reported six-year, $70 million contract. Sure, he has expressed a desire to go to the NBA, and the Los Angeles brand speaks for itself, but the Lakers' organization has more questions than answers right now, and the biggest one was an unknown: How much control would Hurley have? With LeBron James still part of the equation, history would tell us the answer to that, at least to start. At UConn, that is not a question, and beyond the emotions and the feel-good nature of this story, think about this: Hurley has Connecticut in the palm of his hand.

Sources confirmed to FOX Sports that UConn has mapped out an offer of roughly $50 million for six years, coming in at over $8 million per year. But after Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said Monday that "we'll make sure he's the top paid college coach," it will be