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UConn HC Dan Hurley has perfect reaction to 'Fastest Man on Planet' Noah Lyles' historic gold at Paris Olympics

UConn Huskies basketball coach Dan Hurley couldn't hide his excitement after witnessing sprinter Noah Lyles' jaw-dropping gold medal performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Lyles was crowned the fastest man on the planet after a historic finish in the men's 100-meter race on Sunday at Stade de France in Paris.

The race replays and overhead shots told the thrilling story that left spectators in awe, as Lyles ran the 100-meter track in 9.79 seconds. Hurley joined the chorus of admirers on social media, taking to X to laud the American sprinter.

"Noah Lyles is a dog. 🥇," Hurley wrote.

Lyles' victory marked a significant moment for U.S. athletics, reclaiming the 100-meter Olympic gold last won by Justin Gaitlin in 2004. In his typically candid post-race news conference, Lyles expressed his ambition to elevate his sport and send a message to his sponsor, Adidas.

"I want my own shoe," he said. "I’m dead serious. I want a sneaker. There ain’t no money in spikes, there’s money in sneakers."

Former American sprinters Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay would be proud, too, having perished to the legacy of Jamaican icon Usain Bolt during their peak years.

Also read: Noah Lyles’ Olympic triumph in front of LeBron James & Co. leads to amusing fan reactions: "Worst hate watch ever"

Dan Hurley has a chip on his shoulder

Dan Hurley led the UConn Huskies to back-to-back national championships in March and will be looking to drive them to even greater heights. Turning down the LA Lakers and signing a new six-year, $50 million contract with the Huskies, Hurley remains grounded.

"I think we have the confidence of the championship program, but we work like we haven't won anything," Hurley said.

This mindset is what fuels him, even as he enjoys his newfound status as one of the faces of college basketball and the Big East.

"I've got a chip on my shoulder and I think we're undervalued and people think I suck," he said. "So, I'm going to mostly either look for slights or create them that don't exist, just to keep on UConn's shoulder."

Hurley's humility and self-deprecating nature endear him to his players and fans alike. Armed with his championship pedigree, Hurley is determined to keep UConn at the top.

Also read: 5 reasons why Dan Hurley’s UConn could fail to secure their 3rd straight national championship

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