URI Officially Extends Hurley
Saturday, April 13, 2013
We learned last week that URI men's basketball coach Dan Hurley would not be considering an offer from Rutgers because he had agreed to a contract extension at the University of Rhode Island. Today, URI made it official announcing a contract extension for Hurley through at least the 2019-2020 season.
While very few specific details of the new deal were given, it is known that two years were added to Hurley's original deal which was to run through the 2017-2018 season. The school also announced that the new deal also "focuses on several programatic changes and enhancements for student-athletes."
What that means is anyone's guess, but there have been various reports which state that the new deal could include raises for Hurley's assistant coaches, a better training table and better travel accomodations which might include taking more charter flights.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTDespite the news that this deal was agreed upon sometime last week, a report yesterday on ESPN.com said that Hurley was still offered the vacant Rutgers men's basketball head coaching post Monday and that he didn't officially turn the job down until Wednesday. The story suggested that Hurley mulled over a 5-year offer worth about $1 million per year from Rutgers for two days before electing to turn it down. It also suggested that Rutgers would have had to make it at least an 8-year offer for Hurley to consider leaving URI.
In recent days, Hurley has expressed his fondness for the URI and the quality of life in Rhode Island saying that he and his family are comfortable here. He also said that rebuilding a program as he did at Wagner and is doing here is not an easy task and didnt want to walk away from some very solid building blocks he and his staff have put in place here to begin another reclamation project in New Jersey.
As it turns out, Rutgers has now gone to option "B" by allegedly targeting Rutgers alumnus Eddie Jordan to be their new head coach. He is currently an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Here is the official press release from URI on Hurley's extension:
KINGSTON, R.I. -- The University of Rhode Island and head coach Dan Hurley have agreed to a contract extension that will keep him at the school through at least the 2019-20 season. Director of Athletics Thorr Bjorn, University officials, and representatives for Hurley have been working on finalizing the details for the past week.
"This is a huge statement to our student-athletes, our program, and the many dedicated fans of Rhode Island basketball. I thank President David Dooley and Thorr Bjorn for their support, trust, and shared commitment to the future success of our program," Hurley said. "We will work harder than ever to make everyone proud to be associated with Rhode Island basketball."
The new deal adds two additional years to Hurley's original contract, but primarily focuses on several programmatic changes and enhancements for the student-athletes.
"I am excited to take this next step with Dan Hurley and our men's basketball program. Dan brings incredible passion and integrity to URI and has put his heart and soul into building a championship program," Bjorn said. "I am grateful to President David Dooley for his help, guidance, and support as we move not only our basketball program, but all of our athletics programs forward. Our future is extremely bright and I am thrilled to be part of such a great institution with great students, student-athletes, fans, friends, and alums."
"Dan is a coach who 'Thinks Big' and sets high standards for his players - on the court, in the classroom, and across the campus," said President Dooley. "We are delighted that he will be an important part of the URI community for years to come."
Hurley was hired as the 19th men's basketball coach in URI history on March 21, 2012. His arrival in Kingston at the time was widely regarded as the top hire in the country by ESPN.com and CBSSports.com. This past season, Hurley and his staff secured one of the top recruiting classes among non-BCS schools and two of the top-rated recruits - E.C. Matthews and Hassan Martin - in the Atlantic 10.
