“Dan Hurley lost his mind”: Dan Patrick breaks down UConn HC’s on-court actions after backlash
Dan Hurley received a technical foul for arguing with a referee on Monday in the opening game of the Maui Invitational against Memphis Tigers. Hurley's reaction stemmed from a controversial call on Liam McNeeley's offensive rebound with the score tied and 40 seconds remaining in overtime.
The incident gave Penny Hardaway's crew two additional free throws and played a prominent role in the UConn Huskies' 99-97 overtime loss. While Dan Patrick believes that the foul on Liam McNeeley was incorrect, he criticized Dan Hurley's reaction.
On the "Dan Patrick Show," the Sportscaster claimed that as a coach, Hurley needs to practice composure and poise despite the nature of a call.
"Dan Hurley lost his mind, lost his mind, cost his team," Patrick said. "Penny Hardway's Memphis team, they have been a disappointment. I think they made the tournament two times in the last seven years. He's had talent there. But UConn, you expect them to win those games.
"Okay, he's right about the call. But he can't lose his mind in a situation like that. It goes back to what I've said about these coaches, they want you to have poise but they don't. You have to have poise too. Yes, you're upset about it, but you have to have composure. "Imagine if your player did that, you'd go crazy,"" added Patrick.
"Well, you can't do that. And I know this is who he is, this is his personality but in a situation like that - a bad call - you can't let everything bother you that you throw a temper tantrum. It's a bad call, okay - regroup, move on, recover - you can't add to it," he concluded.
Dan Patrick claims that the frequency of Dan Hurley's reactions defeats their purpose
UConn and college hoops fans love every bit of Dan Hurley's animated reactions on the sidelines. Dan Patrick believes that coaches like Hurley are crucial for college basketball's growth due to the intensity and passion that they bring.
However, he believes that the frequency of his reactions ultimately fails to pass on the message at the moment.
"It's just like with your kids, if you're yelling and constantly yelling, then does it really register. But when you do raise your voice, its like 'Uh-oh, dad's upset. He's always raising his voice," Patrick said.
Despite his coaching brilliance that has led UConn to back-to-back NCAA championships, Dan Hurley believes his biggest asset is his intensity. During a Red Sox game against the Yankees this summer, he even claimed that his ability to lead a roster through ups and downs would make him a better football coach.