Hurley Saga Reminder for Razorback Fans to Take Half-Glass Full Approach

As Calipari tenure still in infancy, latest drama puts in perspective just how fortunate Hogs have it

Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley shouts at his team during the Men's NCAA national championship game against the Purdue Boilermakers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on April 8, 2024. / Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Less than a week after it all started, it came tumbling to a grinding halt. After it was first reported on Thursday that UConn coach Dan Hurley and the Los Angeles Lakers were in talks for the two-time defending national champion coach to take over the vacant head coaching job of the Lakers, it was all over.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Monday that Hurley was turning down a massive contract to stay in Storrs and attempt to win his third championship in a row.

BREAKING: Connecticut’s Dan Hurley has turned down the Los Angeles Lakers’ six-year, $70 million offer and will return to chase a third straight national title, sources tell ESPN. LA would’ve made him one of NBA’s six highest paid coaches. pic.twitter.com/hEXo3o00SR

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 10, 2024

The Hurley situation brings into perspective just how difficult it is for big name coaches to move. There is an alternate universe where Calipari's move to Arkansas does not get dragged across the finish line and the Razorbacks are left in shambles with a coach that needs multiple years to rebuild the program from the ground up, after Eric Musselman left after a losing season and zero players as a parting gift.

Today, coincidentally, marks the 2 month anniversary of Calipari's introductory press conference, where he famously told a crowd of reporters that there was no team. Lawson Blake aside, he was right.

“I met with the team. There is no team.” 🤣

There is currently only one Razorback on the roster for the 2024-25 season 😅 pic.twitter.com/0ZBlL8WiRp

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 11, 2024

Just 60 days later, the Razorbacks have landed two of the top transfer targets, one from a SEC rival in Johnell Davis and Jonas Aidoo and are ranked in preliminary CBS polls. He was also able to bring over six of his Kentucky commits/players to complete his roster before many coaches who weren't dropped into an empty cupboard.

It's easy to chalk that up to coach Cal being coach Cal, but in today's fluid world of college athletics, things can turn on a dime. While it's felt like a really long time, it's a great reminder that John Calipari has only been the coach at Arkansas for 60 days.

HOGS FEED:

• Texas 'flex' not impressive to SEC neighbors

• We should have learned by now not to anoint anybody, even with Calipari

• 'Long John" Daly showed his true inner self at Paradise Valley

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