"That's embarrassing. Low-level sh*t”: Dan Hurley loses his cool in practice; UConn players admit he’s hungrier this season
One would think Dan Hurley would be overjoyed after leading the UConn Huskies to back-to-back national championships. However, the 51-year-old believes there is business that still needs to be taken care of, displaying his ultra-competitive side in a Huskies practice session last month.
Per ESPN, Hurley vented his frustrations during a Huskies' practice session in October, using a few expletives to express his feelings to his roster.
"That's not a f***ing closeout! That's embarrassing. Low-level sh*t," yelled Hurley.
Some of the top talents from his roster voiced their feelings, believing Hurley is more driven to lead the Huskies to more success in the future.
"He's way more intense this year," said the Huskies' lone returner for this season, Alex Karaban. "He's leveled up. He's hungrier than ever."
Liam McNeeley, the Huskies' top recruit this season, revealed the two sides of Hurley before mentioning how he unleashes his competitive spirit during practice sessions.
"He's probably the funniest person I've ever met," said McNeeley. "On the court, it's just like a mode flips. And he's just kill, kill, kill everybody, even in practice."
Dan Hurley looks up to John Wooden and the UCLA Bruins' dynasty years
A key piece of NCAA history which factors into Hurley's drive is the historic run of the UCLA Bruins in the '60s and '70s, who won consecutive national championships from 1967 to 1973, and 10 of 12 seasons from 1964 to 1975.
After winning two successive national championships, the opportunity to replicate a part of Wooden's success with the Bruins' by completing a rare 'threepeat' this season motivates Hurley during his practice sessions.
"It dawns on you like, this is the greatest college coach of all time," said Hurley. "Maybe the most well-known coach in basketball of all time. You have a chance to potentially match him. It's f***ing crazy."
This is a sentiment that Karaban, who had a hand in convincing Dan Hurley to stay at Storrs this season, admitted has been echoed by him and the rest of the roster during the summer.
"That's really all he's been talking about the entire summer," said Karaban. "We got to get to the level that is expected of us, to put another one up there."
Dan Hurley and the Huskies will begin their quest to make history on November 7, when they take on the Sacred Heart Pioneers in front of their adoring fans at Storrs.