UConn head coach Dan Hurley seemed to let the excitement of the occasion shine through during the Huskies’ championship game against Purdue.
The Huskies steamrolled their way to back-to-back national titles with a 75-60 win over the Boilermakers in Phoenix Monday.
However, despite the dominant victory, Hurley failed to keep a cool head as he was captured and the tension boiled over during the broadcast.
when he was captured, the tension boiled over during the broadcast.
Hurley appeared to shove his own player, Cam Spencer, in an attempt to reposition him as the guard dribbled late in the game.
Officials frown on coaches making contact with players during the game — even their own — and Hurley’s actions are costing UConn sales.
UConn head coach Dan Hurley pushes his own player during the national championship game
Hurley let the excitement of the occasion get the better of him at times during the game
In the end, it didn’t matter as on the ensuing Purdue possession, Spencer had a blocked shot and UConn’s lead was well protected.
It wasn’t the first time Hurley’s emotions ran a little too high. He and Purdue star Zach Edey got into a heated argument in the first half after the seven-foot-tall behemoth launched a devastating attack on Huskies’ guard Stephon Castle.
Before the game tilted heavily in the Huskies’ favor, the first half was back and forth with several ties and lead changes. During one of those closely contested sequences, Edey was leveling Castle.
During the start of the ensuing television timeout, Hurley came onto the court to confront Edey, who was already walking away toward the Purdue bench.
The broadcast didn’t pick up what either man said, but based on body language, they weren’t congratulating each other on making it to the title game.
Even with Hurley’s reputation as a maniac, fans denounced the coach’s actions for confronting Edey on what was a legal play by the Boilermaker big man.
Despite pushing Cam Spencer (pictured), the Hurley and Huskies maintained their lead
Edey and Hurley exchanged words during the first half of Monday’s national championship game
“Dan Hurley is insufferable,” one college basketball fan said on social media.
“Actually, Hurley came out to Edey. Growing up as a student. Stylish,” said someone else on X.
“Dan Hurley remains incredibly unlikely,” one social media user added.
‘In what world do referees let a coach come over to say something to the opponents? No other coach would act like that,” another fan concluded.