UConn's Dan Hurley Sounded Like A 'Donkey' Trying To Deflect About Kentucky Opening, Thanks To Agent's Request

UConn head coach Dan Hurley knew he wasn't going to be interested in the Kentucky job, but that didn't stop the rumors of him potentially mulling over the situation. Turns out, most of it had to do with his agent. 

The search for a new Kentucky basketball coach had a number of twists and turns after John Calipari found his lifeline in Arkansas. Obviously, the Huskies head coach would be at the top of Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart's list of candidates to fill the open spot in Lexington. 

There was one big problem, and it was the fact that Dan Hurley had no interest in leaving what he calls the ‘best team in college basketball’. But, if you're an agent that is looking for more money or additional resources for your client, the best strategy is to act like you're at least thinking about it, or not saying no. 

All of this came to a head at the Final Four, where Hurley found himself having to answer questions as to whether he'd be interested in leaving Connecticut for Kentucky. Even though he did not really want to play the game, Hurley did take the advice of his agent when answering questions after winning a national championship. 

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - APRIL 06: Head coach Dan Hurley of the. Connecticut Huskies talks to team in locker room after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game at State Farm Stadium on April 06, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Dan Hurley Says He Was Acting Like A ‘Donkey’, Agent Wanted Him To Be Evasive

Hurley ended up putting some of the heat on his wife, which was an interesting route, but all part of the plan. The UConn head coach ended up telling reporters that his wife would be the one making that decision, so direct those questions towards her. 

"Oh my God, Kentucky or anywhere that's going to take her further from New Jersey," Hurley said of her reaction, via ESPN. "I mean, we just went to Rhode Island, which I had to drag her to, and then to Connecticut. I got her closer. And now further? I can't afford a divorce right now, too. I just started making money."

Turns out, he took the advice of his agent, but looked like a ‘Donkey’ in the process. 

"You know, I had a brief conversation with my agent, maybe on Sunday, as that news was breaking," Dan Hurley recalled on the Dan Patrick Show. "He was asking would you have interest if they (Kentucky) called. You know, my answer to that was no. I’m the head coach at the best program in the country, why would I leave the best job in the country even if another place was really good or is great. 

"But your agent wants you to try and deflect, because you’re at UConn. You want to reward your staff, resources in your program. Your agent is kinda telling you ‘Hey, don’t say your’e interested, but don’t say not because I gotta deal with the UConn people on a lot of things’. So I looked like a donkey and pinned it on my wife. I was evasive, but I looked like a donkey the way I was answering things. But privately with players, I talked with them about it, and it was good."

In the end, UConn is still celebrating another national championship, and Kentucky found its coach after a few misses. At least Dan Hurley found some humor in the situation.