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Despite Pitt’s aggressive pursuit of Rhode Island head coach Dan Hurley, which included a multi-year contract offer exceeding $3 million annually, the university’s top target to replace former head coach Kevin Stallings has reportedly accepted a less lucrative offer from UConn and will be named the Huskies head coach, according to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman.
BREAKING: Dan Hurley is headed to UConn, multiple sources told ESPN. Chose the Huskies over a more-lucrative offer from Pittsburgh, and also a long-term deal from URI. 6-year deal with UConn.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) March 22, 2018
Hurley also turned down a long-term offer from Rhode Island to remain in Kingston, and he met with his players at Rhode Island on Thursday morning to reveal his decision.
Financial details of UConn’s offer were not revealed, but the deal will keep Hurley in Storrs for six years. Considering Pitt’s offer would have made Hurley one of the 14 wealthiest coaches in the country, the news is somewhat surprising. But with that said, this outcome was hinted at in previous reports, which noted Hurley preferred UConn for its history.
The move leaves Pitt with no clear top option remaining to fill its coaching vacancy, but there are a number of impressive candidates from the mid-major ranks or higher who could possibly get a call from athletic director Heather Lyke in the wake of Thursday’s news.