AVID UConn fan Molly Qerim was on cloud nine as she kicked off Tuesday’s episode of First Take.

Huskies men’s basketball head coach Dan Hurley declined an offer to become the next head coach of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.

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The Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James remain coachless following Dan Hurley’s decision to remain with UConnCredit: Getty

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First Take host Molly Qerim was over the moon following Hurley’s decision to continue to lead her beloved HuskiesCredit: ESPN/First Take

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‘It was a great day for UConn fans,’ Qerim said to kick off Tuesday’s show while wearing a UConn hatCredit: ESPN/First Take
Back-to-back NCAA National Champion Hurley was reportedly offered a six-year deal worth $70 million by the Lakers to replace Darvin Ham, as per ESPN.

This news brought to an end a seemingly out-of-the-blue pursuit of the highly coveted college coach, which suddenly emerged on June 6, via ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Prior to Los Angeles’ chase for Hurley, former NBA star turned analyst J.J. Redick – who also co-hosts a podcast with Lakers star LeBron James – had been heavily linked with the position.

In fact, on June 4, a report claimed that the Lakers were “zeroing in” on Redick, according to The Athletic.

The news of Hurley’s decision kicked off Tuesday’s episode of First Take, with a jubilant Qerim opting to taunt James and the Lakers by wearing a UConn baseball cap during the opening segment.

“It was a great day for UConn fans,” Qerim said.

“I am thrilled Danny Hurley’s coming back. I know it was a very tough decision coming for the three-peat.”

And Qerim’s choice of attire did not go unnoticed by fans on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“The Queen @MollyQerim just rubbing it in today sporting the UConn hat on First Take…all hail the Queen,” one tweeted.

“Best look of the day, Molly Qerim in a UConn hat,” said a second.

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“Molly really came on the show this morning with a UConn hat to troll us Lakers fans?” asked another on YouTube.

Not that this was the first time Qerim had publically celebrated Hurley’s decision to chase the three-peat.

Following his announcement, she took to X to share a selfie as she beamed in the First Take studio in a bright pink suit.

Hurley now returns to UConn for his seventh season in charge, looking to become the first men’s head coach to lead a team to back to back to back titles since John Wooden with the UCLA Bruins between 1967 and 1973.

Molly Qerim’s life in the spotlight

Molly Qerim has risen through the ranks to become one of the biggest stars at ESPN.

The popular sports host began her media career in 2006 with ESPN and spent four years with the network.

She then covered college basketball and football for CBS Sports Network in New York.

Qerim balanced that with hosting duties for NFL Network in Los Angeles – fronting NFLAM and NFL Fantasy Live.

The host returned to ESPN in 2015 and immediately took the role of First Take anchor.

And Qerim has been an ever-present, popular host of the daily sports debate show ever since.

“I am humbled by this entire experience,” Hurley said via a statement.

“At the end of the day, I am extremely proud of the championship culture we have built at Connecticut.

“We met as a team before today’s workout and our focus right now is getting better this summer and connecting as a team as we continue to pursue championships.”

As for Los Angeles, they are now back to square one in their search for Ham’s replacement.

The team reportedly aims to have a new coach in place in time for the Draft on June 26, as per Wojnarowski on SportsCenter.

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Hurley is looking to lead UConn to their third straight National ChampionshipCredit: Getty