The University of Connecticut is a name synonymous with winning, but for men’s basketball this season, the story has been far from the usual success – it’s been anything but “winning.” Dan Hurley’s team had their sights set on a three-peat, but things have been far from ideal. It all started with the Maui Invitational tournament, where they lost all three games. “There’s zero chance I ever do that again,” Dan Hurley said when asked about returning next season. Things began to show signs of wearing down for the defending champions, and up stepped the veteran coach from the women’s side to lend a hand and help Hurley out.
Earlier this season, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Coach Hurley had decided to reject a six-year, $70 million contract offer from the Los Angeles Lakers to stay at UConn and pursue the three-peat. Naturally, Hurley was rewarded for his loyalty with a new six-year, $50 million contract with the Huskies. But when Geno Auriemma joined Hurley during one of his coaching sessions following the disastrous Maui run, he had some harsh words for him.
In an interview with 60 Minutes, Hurley shared the words of wisdom from the winningest coach in NCAA history: “You know, if the only outcome that makes you a successful coach or a successful season is whether you hang up a national championship banner, then you should get out immediately.”
It was difficult for Hurley to digest this at first, as his mindset had always been centered on winning. However, spending more time with Auriemma helped him understand the deeper meaning behind those words. Hurley went on to add more to the advice Auriemma gave him, “You know, the joy of the relationship with your players, the joy of getting the most out of your team. If you are only in it for the championship pursuit and none of the other stuff means anything to you anymore, and it’s just banners and rings, then you should get out.”
Over 40 years as coach of the UConn Huskies women’s team, Auriemma has mentored 160 female players. Each one arrived at UConn as an 18-year-old, and each left with their lives transformed by the legendary coach. “There is a bond among the 160, among players of different generations, even those who have never met. Because we have the shared life experience of playing for the best coach in the history of the game,” said Rebecca Lobo, explaining the profound impact Auriemma had. While Auriemma didn’t win a championship every year, he created an unbreakable bond with each player he coached.
This conversation clearly struck a chord with Hurley. After his encounter with Auriemma, his team went on to win eight straight games. Hurley also acknowledged a shift in his approach, admitting that his current team couldn’t handle the tough coaching style he’s known for. This forced him to adapt his methods, a move that the fiery Dan Hurley from just two years ago would have never considered.
Dec 4, 2024; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley reacts after a three point basket by guard Aidan Mahaney (20) as they take on the Baylor Bears at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
“I realized that I couldn’t coach this team as hard as I’ve coached some of my other teams. When you have guys like Cam Spencer, Andre Jackson, Donovan Clingan, these guys could take hard coaching. This year, our confidence got rattled so early in Maui, you know, I’ve had to build this team up,” said Hurley in an interview talking about how he’s had to adapt according to the team’s needs this season.
This season has been a rollercoaster for the Huskies– they’re no longer a ranked team, and not many are expecting them to make a deep run in the Big Dance. But there’s still a lot to play for as the Big East tournament is just around the corner.
What’s next for Dan Hurley and co?
Dan Hurley and his team are probably playing their best basketball right now, having won four in a row including three by double digits. They head into the iconic Madison Square Garden full of confidence, aiming to make a big impact in the tournament and fine-tune their plays before March Madness begins.
Having finished third in the Big East, the Huskies earned a first-round bye and will now face either Villanova or Seton Hall in the quarterfinals on March 14th. With momentum on their side and players like Tarris Reed Jr hitting form at the right time, expectations are high for the Huskies to breeze past their quarterfinal opponent.
While UConn has taken a step back this season, its strong postseason history remains a concern for any opposing team. It remains to be seen if the basketball gods will smile on Dan Hurley again, but they will certainly be a team to watch out for in the big dance.
The post Dan Hurley Confesses Geno Auriemma Urged Him to Walk Away From $50 Million appeared first on EssentiallySports.