Calls Mount Against Dan Hurley After UConn Coach Loses His Cool Amid Early Big East Struggle

“This guy right here.” That’s how Dan Hurley described himself when asked which coach would pick up a technical in overtime. Back in November, it was a late-game foul on McNeely during the Maui Invitational that pushed Hurley over the edge — and earned him a technical. Fast forward to UConn’s latest matchup against Villanova, and it was déjà vu.

After an undesirable regular season run, the last thing Hurley would have liked to add to the misfortunes is an early Big East Tournament exit. As the Wildcats soared for an early lead, leaving the Huskies behind 36-31 by halftime, with an 8-to-3 foul discrepancy, the head coach couldn’t just accept the turnout.

“When I get into it, sometimes I will say or do anything I think may give me some type of an advantage either with an official or with firing my team up, or with carrying myself with a confidence and a swagger that is going to get my team the ability to play better,” he had said speaking of his courtside intensity. And maybe the attitude so natural by now just kicked in after a look at the scoreboard, but spectators are no fans of it.

Given his history with securing technicals, another one added today, fans are starting to wonder if Hurley’s fiery approach is doing more harm than good.

A clip shared by Field of 68 on X captured the moment Hurley’s frustration boiled over, with the caption, “Dan Hurley’s been T’d up.” The footage shows Hurley animatedly barking at the refs, clearly unhappy with how the game was being called. Well, his frustration wasn’t unfounded.

By halftime, Villanova had made 12 of 16 free throws, while UConn had only been to the line twice. For Huskies fans, it felt like déjà vu — a repeat of the Maui Invitational back in November. He had fallen to knees when an over-the-back foul was called against the freshman. “The force of the blown call literally knocked me to the ground is how I’m trying to justify it,” he had said. Well, no matter what he felt, an emotion too strong landed a tech for him. He needs to hold back on that fans wish.

Fans rip Dan Hurley after another technical sparks backlash

The backlash was swift. “Shocker. Someone give him a pacifier,” one fan posted. But say what you want — at least Hurley isn’t the type to stay quiet when the calls aren’t going his way. He may not have Mark Pope’s finesse when working the officials, but Hurley’s sideline antics are part of the package. And while this is only his second technical all season, the timing couldn’t be worse — first in OT back in Maui, and now in the heat of the Big East Tournament.

“He’s a fool. He owes Clingan half that paycheck,” one fan quipped.

Hard to argue — Donovan Clingan’s dominance was instrumental in UConn’s back-to-back national titles in 2023 and 2024. Now making his mark with the Portland Trail Blazers, Clingan’s presence in the paint was a game-changer for Hurley’s squad. His shot-blocking and rebounding anchored UConn’s defense, and without him, those championships might have stayed out of reach.

“Grass is green, water is wet, and Dan Hurley is still the biggest douche in college basketball,” one fan posted bluntly. Hurley’s fiery personality has always been part of his coaching identity — for better or worse. His infamous comment, “Don’t turn your back on me. I’m the best coach in fcking sport,”* hasn’t exactly improved his reputation. And now, with technicals piling up at the worst possible times, the backlash is heating up.

“Throw that d-bag out of the game,” another fan said — and honestly, that might happen if Hurley picks up one more technical.

“He and Fran can hang out together tonight,” one fan joked — and they might not be wrong. Iowa’s Fran McCaffery didn’t get to see his seniors off after a second-half meltdown led to his ejection in the Hawkeyes’ Big Ten loss to Illinois. Now, with UConn leading 51-48 and eight minutes left, Hurley might want to keep his cool — or he could end up joining McCaffery in the locker room.