UConn head coach Dan Hurley seemed to let the stress of the occasion get to him during the Huskies’ championship game against Purdue.
The Huskies powered their way to a back-to-back national title with a 75-60 victory over the Boilermakers in Phoenix on Monday.
However, despite the dominant victory, Hurley couldn’t keep his cool when he was caught letting the tension boil over on the broadcast.
while he was captured letting the tension spill over into the broadcast.
Hurley appeared to push his own player, Cam Spencer, in an attempt to reposition him as the guard dribbled late in the faceoff.
Officials disapprove of coaches making contact with players, even their own, during playing time, and Hurley’s actions cost UConn a turnover.
UConn head coach Dan Hurley pushes his own player during the national championship.
Hurley let the tension of the occasion get the better of him at times throughout the game.
In the end it didn’t matter, as on Purdue’s next possession, Spencer got a blocked shot and UConn’s lead was well protected.
It wasn’t the first time Hurley’s emotions ran high. He and Purdue star Zach Edey had a heated exchange during the first half after the 7-foot-4 big man laid out a devastating pick on Huskies guard Stephon Castle.
Before the game tilted heavily in the Huskies’ favor, the first half went back and forth with several ties and lead changes. During one of those hotly contested sequences, Edey razed the castle.
During the start of the television timeout that followed, Hurley entered the court to confront Edey, who was already walking away toward the Purdue bench.
The broadcast didn’t capture what either of them said, but based on their body language, they weren’t congratulating each other on making it to the title game.
Even with Hurley’s reputation as a maniac, fans criticized the coach’s actions for confronting Edey on what was a legal play by the Boilermaker big man.
Despite pushing Cam Spencer (pictured), the Hurleys and the Huskies maintained their lead.
Edey and Hurley exchanged words during the first half of Monday’s national championship game.
“Dan Hurley is unbearable,” said one college basketball fan on social media.
In reality, Hurley came out to criticize Edey. Adult adult in a college student. With class,” said another person in X.
“Dan Hurley continues to be incredibly unpleasant,” added one social media user.
‘In what world do referees allow a coach to enter the field to say something to opposing players? “No other coach would act like this,” another fan concluded.
