UConn's Dan Hurley Opens Up on Tough Transfer Portal Decisions

With UConn losing the championship game to Michigan exactly one week ago, head coach Dan Hurley is already back to work as he looks to rebuild for next season.

And that will include some big decisions when it comes to his coaching staff and the lineup they’ll put on the court when the 2026 campaign begins. It’s no secret that they were losing Alex Karaban after his fourth year with the Huskies, and Taris Reed Jr. also left since his eligibility expired.

There’s already been significant transfer portal news for the team, with one player choosing to return to UConn and another departing to explore his opportunities. Eric Reibe, a reserve center for UConn who started in Reed’s place when Reed was injured earlier in the season, opted to enter the transfer portal after the season.

While Reibe chose to look at other teams for next season, Jayden Ross realized that UConn is where he wants to play and decided to return for next season’s run.

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On Tuesday, Hurley participated in a media session from UConn, where he spoke about the team’s transfer portal moves and key decisions. In particular, he opened up about Reibe choosing to leave and how much he enjoyed coaching him on the roster.

“I don’t want to get too much into just an individual player. Eric was a soldier and a warrior for us. He saved us in the non-conference. He played great. He’s gonna have a great career no matter where he goes. He’s one of my favorite guys I’ve coached, and I’ve got nothing but great things to say about Eric, and that I’ll be rooting for him,” Hurley said.

He explained he rooted for former UConn transfer Aiden Mahaney this past season as he played elsewhere, and will do the same with Reibe wherever he decides to go. However, the loss of Reibe, combined with Reed’s departure, leaves a serious hole in the roster when it comes to having not one, but two big men.

Reed’s shoes are already big enough to fill, and Hurley realizes that’s the team’s major concern heading into the offseason. He transferred to UConn last season from Michigan after serving as a reserve there, then emerged as a solid starting center this season, especially in March Madness.

Reibe appeared ready to become Reed’s successor for that starting spot, but not anymore.

“It’s definitely a challenge. We felt like we had that person groomed to take over, and now we’re in a different spot. It’s the nature of it,” he said, regarding Reibe’s departure after Reed’s.

There may be good news on the horizon for UConn fans, as On3 reported that Seton Hall’s Najai Hines had a visit scheduled with the school on Tuesday. He’s a 6-foot-10 and 265-pound center who could emerge as a starting candidate if he chooses to transfer to the Huskies from the portal.

One other big decision is on the way for Hurley regarding his coaching staff. The team lost assistant coach Luke Murray amid their NCAA Tournament run, as Boston College hired him as its men’s basketball head coach.

"I drag my feet on that, because I'm just very careful about who I'm going to bring into the circle, and I'm gonna take my time on that," he admitted, later saying he's not against potentially hiring a former head coach as a UConn assistant.

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This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 5:18 PM.