Now that Dan Hurley is staying at UConn the question becomes how much more money will the university offer him?

The UConn basketball head coach spoke with reporters for the first time on Thursday since turning down an offer from the Los Angeles Lakers that would’ve made him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA.

UConn’s faced a budget crunch the past few years and Hurley dispelled the notion that he used the Lakers' interest to leverage a better deal with UConn.

Hurley was smiling, laughing and joking about the amount of cameras as he was flanked by a herd of reporters.

“Once in a lifetime to be presented with an opportunity to lead one of the most storied franchises in sports,” Hurley said.

In a room full of reporters and television cameras, the 51-year-old said it was a gut-wrenching decision for him and his family. “I get a chance to coach 18,19,20 year old kids. You could really change their lives,” Hurley said.

A restructured deal is close to being finalized, Hurley said.

Hurley is currently one year into his current six-year, $32 million deal with the Huskies.

Gov. Ned Lamont has said Hurley should be the top-paid college coach, that honor right now belongs to Kansas’ Bill Self.

“From high school to Wagner to Rhode Island to here, I’ve got a lot of pride in the journey and how I’ve had to take steps in my career to get here. It’s hard to wrap your mind around it,” said Hurley.

As far as announcing a new deal, Hurley said there are still things to be worked out with his assistants.