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After former assistant coach Kevin Freeman decided to step away from coaching, Dan Hurley has quickly found a replacement in Luke Murray. UConn announced the news on Monday.
Murray worked under Hurley in both of the UConn head coach’s previous Division I stops, as an assistant at Wagner from 2010-11 and again at Rhode Island from 2013-15.
“Luke has a high level of experience as a coach and as a recruiter, he is someone I have a lot of confidence in because of the familiarity I have had with him at two other programs,” Hurley said. “I’m very pleased to welcome him to the UConn family.”
Before coming to Storrs, Murray spent the last six seasons working under current Louisville head coach Chris Mack, spending three years at Xavier from 2015-18 before being at Louisville for the past three seasons. He’s known as a stellar recruiter, especially in the local area; he grew up in New York and attended St. Luke’s School in New Canaan, CT.
Luke Murray is one of the smartest people I’ve met within basketball. One of the few that I think could legit work in NBA front office, coaching, college coaching, etc. Super smart, and REALLY knows hoops. Just a really great hire for UConn. https://t.co/KOaPBVUC1X
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) May 3, 2021
Aside from his time on Hurley and Mack’s staff, Murray worked as an assistant coach at Towson from 2011-13 and broke into college basketball as Quinnipiac’s director of basketball operations in 2007.
“We’ve stayed in close contact over the years,” Murray said of his relationship with Hurley. “We were talking the other day and realized it’s been six years since we worked together, but our relationship has remained as strong as ever and he’s somebody that I really enjoy being around and learning from. It’s why I’m so excited about being here at UConn.”
Murray is the son of actor Bill Murray, best known for his performances on Saturday Night Live, Caddyshack, and Space Jam.
UConn is hiring assistant coach Luke Murray, sources told ESPN. Terrific hire by Dan Hurley. Reunites with Murray from their days at Rhode Island and Wagner. Extremely well-connected recruiter moving closer to home. Deep ties in the region.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) May 3, 2021