Dan Hurley was both optimistic and realistic two years ago, when he took over as Wagner coach. The former star guard at Seton Hall thought he could win, thought he could change the culture of a program that went 5-26 the season before he took over.

"But I thought it would take four years, at least," he said. "Maybe five."

Turns out, it only took two.

And that was enough for Rhode Island, a struggling Atlantic 10 program that needed a jolt.

On Tuesday, the Rams received one.

Hurley, 39, agreed to a six-year deal at Rhode Island, a team that went 7-24 this season, and failed to qualify for the conference tournament. A press conference is scheduled on campus Wednesday at 1 p.m.

"This came fast, faster than I ever would have imagined," Hurley told The Associated Press Wednesday night. "We were able to build a program at Wagner, and we really fell in love with the place. It's a great place, with great players. And now, at Rhode Island, it's a new opportunity, a great opportunity to do something special."

Hurley led the Seahawks, of the Northeast Conference, to a 25-6 finish this year, after going 13-17 in his debut season. The former Rutgers assistant - and son of Basketball Hall of Famer Bob Hurley - also coached nine seasons at St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, N.J.

"Dan is a proven winner at every level and I am looking forward to partnering with him to build on the solid foundation we have in place," Rhode Island Athletic Director Thorr Bjorn said. "Our goals are to compete for - and win - Atlantic 10 championships and advance to play in NCAA tournaments."

Hurley's hire comes at the right time for the Rams. The Atlantic 10 is moving its conference tournament next season to Brooklyn and the new arena for the NBA's Nets. It is a golden opportunity for A-10 schools to recruit in the New York-New Jersey area, Hurley's strong suit, and market their programs.

"We are delighted that Dan shares our vision to build a high-quality program that puts the student-athlete first and competes at the highest level," Rhode Island President David Dooley said. "And we are confident that he will be successful here."

Hurley replaces Jim Baron, who had two years remaining on his contract, but could only muster a 4-12 record in the Atlantic 10 this season. Baron, 57, coached the Rams since 2001, and made five NIT appearances. But he did not take the Rams to the NCAA. He was fired on March 4.

Hurley didn't take the Seahawks to the postseason, either, after losing in the NEC semifinals to Robert Morris, 71-64, at home. There was a thought Wagner might land in the NIT, but when the Seahawks weren't invited, they elected not to pursue the CBI.

A native of Jersey City, N.J., Hurley, who played for his father at St. Anthony High, hired his brother, Bobby, as an assistant at Wagner and may do so at Rhode Island, as well. But Bobby, a former guard at Duke and in the NBA, is also considered a top contender to replace Dan at the Staten Island school.

While at St. Benedict's, Dan went 223-21, and coached four McDonald's All-Americans. The season before he arrived at Wagner, the Seahawks opened up 2-17.

"Dan is an incredible competitor," Bjorn said, "who wants nothing more than to help young men grow and develop, on and off the court."

He has work to do. The Rams lost six of their last eight games. Only Fordham kept them from last place.

"Obviously, I'm excited about the challenge," Hurley said. "The Atlantic 10 has great teams, and great schools, and there's a commitment here at Rhode Island to get the job done."