UConn Coach Dan Hurley Explains The Way Success Is Handled

At Big East Media Day, Dan Hurley approached the table, but before he could take a seat, he was questioned.

“Dan, no championship ring?”

Hurley, the head coach of UConn, the reigning national champion, disobeyed his wife by choosing to leave the bling at home. To put it mildly, it was a brave move.

UConn Coach Dan Hurley Explains The Way Success Is Handled

Hurley didn’t ruminate on one of the most dominant NCAA tournament campaigns in history, reminisce about a summer filled with championship celebrations, or highlight his highly regarded freshman recruiting class until the question was posed and answered.

Hurley was promptly reminded, though, of the last time he had been in Madison Square Garden, on March 10, 2023, when Marquette defeated UConn 70-68 in the semifinals of the Big East tournament.

“The last time I was in here, I didn’t win,” Hurley said. “That was probably the first thing I thought about [coming into MSG].

“That Big East tournament loss still stings,” he would later add. “Walking in here, it’s kind of eating away a little bit at the left side of my ribcage.”

Have you discussed handling success with anyone?

“Yeah I have, I’ve talked to my dad [legendary St. Anthony H.S. coach Bob Hurley] about it, I’ve talked to my brother [Bobby, 1991 and ’92 Duke national champion] about it — they’ve both had great success. I’ve discussed it with Geno Auriemma and Coach [Jim] Calhoun. I have discussed it with Billy Donovan, Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski), Jay Wright, Tom Izzo, and Billy Wright. I’m astute enough to make use of my mentor network.”

Anyone who is familiar with Hurley, whose star shot to national prominence during the aforementioned NCAA tournament run last season, shouldn’t be surprised by anything.

Dan Hurley is still Dan Hurley, even after dominating Iona, St. Mary’s, Arkansas, Gonzaga, Miami, and San Diego State by double digits and electrifying the country with his zeal.

Why is your desire to be great so strong?

“I believe that part of my motivation comes from knowing that I have a mission to transform the lives of my players by enabling them to reach their full potential, mature into clearly well-rounded adults, and maximize the value they can add to their careers. The second aspect of it is that, deep down, I know that I didn’t give my all throughout my time in college. I didn’t max out my playing career, and that bothers the s– t out of me. I believe that I overcommit to my role as a coach because I am aware of my shortcomings as a player.”

Even though they are the defending national champions, UConn is placed No. 6 in the AP poll going into the season. They only received two first-place votes and are actually ranked lower than Marquette, a Big East school. With no votes for first place, UConn is predicted to finish third in its own league.

 

 

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