University of Connecticut Men’s Basketball Coach Dan Hurley’s latest antics with the referees were captured by broadcast cameras Tuesday night, as the Huskies beat Butler in overtime to win their 15th straight game at the XL Center in Hartford.
The veteran coach, who led the Huskies to consecutive victories. national championships Over the past two seasons, he has become known for letting officials know exactly how he feels. Tuesday night was no different, but Hurley’s choice words to an official instantly became a viral moment on social media.
UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley watches from the sideline as they face the Butler Bulldogs at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion on January 21, 2025 in Storrs, Connecticut. (David Butler II-Imagn Images)
Late in the first half, with UConn leading by 10, Hurley approached a referee after feeling a foul should have been called on a defensive rebound attempt.
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However, as Hurley pleaded his case, the referee turned his back on the coach. That’s when the broadcast picked up Hurley’s epic quote.
“Don’t turn your back on me, I’m the best coach in this damn sport.”
Hurley did not deny making the comment in his postgame press conference, explaining that he was looking for more “communication” from the officials.
“Did I say that?” Hurley responded with a smile. “Oh yeah. I’m going to sound like a jerk here. I also want some level of communication.”
UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley watches from the sideline as they face the Butler Bulldogs at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion on January 21, 2025 in Storrs, Connecticut. (David Butler II-Imagn Images)
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Hurley went a step further to defend himself, adding that his interaction with referees isn’t unique, but his time in front of the camera is.
“I just wish they would put the camera on the other coach more,” he continued. “I just wish they would show these other coaches losing their minds to referees in other Big East Games that I am training from where I see: entering a time-out in which I do not speak with the referees. I see the other coaches as demonstrative as me.
“But the camera, obviously, I created myself. I’m not the victim. I just wish they didn’t have the camera pointed at me 90% of the time. Unless they feel that their driving scores and more — Twitter holes that can put clips of mine from a game and [can say] ‘Look what a big monster he is. He’s yelling at a referee again. What a monster.”
Alex Karaban, number 11 of the Connecticut Huskies, reacts after scoring and being fouled during overtime of an NCAA basketball game at the XL Center on January 21, 2025 in Hartford, Connecticut. The Huskies defeated the Bulldogs 80-78 in overtime. (Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)
UConn had won 28 straight at home before losing to Creighton on Saturday, but they bounced back on Tuesday thanks to the performance of Solo Ball, who scored a career-high 23 points in an 80-78 overtime victory. about butler.
