UConn head coach Dan Hurley seemed to let the tension of the occasion overcome him during the Huskies’ championship game against Purdue.
The Huskies cruised 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 failed to keep his cool as he was captured, leaving tension to build on air.
Hurley appeared to push 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 — 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 game
Hurley let the tension of the occasion get the better of him at times throughout the match.
It ultimately didn’t matter as on Purdue’s subsequent possession, Spencer got a blocked shot and UConn’s lead was well protected.
It wasn’t the first time, Hurley’s emotions were a little too strong. He and Purdue star Zach Edey got into a heated exchange during the first half after the 7-foot-4 giant placed a devastating pick on Huskies guard Stephon Castle.
Before the game tilted heavily in favor of the Huskies, the first half featured several ties and lead changes. During one of these hotly contested sequences, Edey leveled the castle.
At the start of the ensuing televised timeout, Hurley came onto the court to confront Edey, who was already walking away toward the Purdue bench.
The show didn’t pick up on what either man said, but based on body language, they weren’t congratulating themselves on reaching the title match.
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 Boilermakers big man.
Despite Cam Spencer’s scramble (photo), the Hurleys and Huskies maintained their lead
Edey and Hurley exchanged words during the first half of Monday’s national championship
“Dan Hurley is insufferable,” one college basketball fan said on social media.
“Actually, Hurley was speechless at Edey. Adult adult in a student. Chic,” another person said on X.
“Dan Hurley continues to be incredibly unfriendly,” one social media user added.
“In what world do referees allow a coach to come on the field to say something to the opposing players? No other coach would act this way,” another fan concluded.
dailymail us
