A passionate coach? Or his loveable wife? Who knew amid UConn MBB’s ambitious expedition to a threepeat, a new debate will emerge far away from the court? As the year winds down and the UConn Huskies march into conference play, head coach Dan Hurley finds himself at the center of an unexpected conversation—this time, the buzz isn’t about his trademark courtside intensity or strategic brilliance on the court, but a playful jab from a fan who sided with his wife, Andrea, in a humorous debate. Much like a tight basketball game, their marriage has its share of heated moments, but when the final buzzer sounds, Andrea has emerged as the undisputed winner.

During a recent episode of the Locked On UConn podcast, fans relived an anecdote that perfectly encapsulates the Hurley dynamic. Mark Zanetto, the host, asked a guest, Mallory—a diehard Huskies fan—about her dream road-trip lineup featuring UConn basketball personalities. While her choices were mostly expected, it was her mention of Andrea Hurley as her very first choice that turned heads.

“Andrea Hurley is going to be one,” Mallory declared with enthusiasm. “She is hilarious. She is unfiltered. She is such a good time to be around. So, I’m definitely going with her.” Placing Andrea in the metaphorical front seat, Mallory hinted at her engaging personality, adding, “She’ll probably be in the front seat, like front passenger.”

When it came to Dan, though, the tone shifted. “I really would like to put Dan… but I don’t know how that would go in the car. So, you know what, Dan’s going to have to find his own way,” Mallory quipped. The playful remark, rooted in Hurley’s intense, fiery coaching style, drew laughs but also reflected the reality of his persona and how he missed out on his chance on a getaway because of his temper.

Interestingly, Mark Zanetto chose to go with Dan’s students Cam Spencer and Donovan Clingan among others but not the head coach himself. In fact, he also mentioned that he would take Andrew Hurley, Dan and Andrea’s son to the outing because of his fun personality which clearly contradicts the back-to-back National Champion head coach.

On the court, Hurley’s intensity has served the UConn Huskies well, as demonstrated in their recent 78-74 victory against the Bulldogs. While Dan’s intensity fuels UConn’s success, it’s Andrea’s cool-headed charm off the court that steals the show—and the laughs.

Andrea Hurley: The MVP behind UConn’s fiery coach

This back-and-forth dynamic between the Hurleys is nothing new. Andrea’s vibrant personality has long balanced Dan’s intensity, making her a beloved figure among UConn fans and a relatable presence in the basketball community.

In fact, Andrea played a pivotal role in Dan’s decision to stay at UConn, with his current $32 million contract despite being offered a $70 million deal by the L.A. Lakers of the NBA. This wasn’t the first time Andrea influenced Dan’s loyalty to Storrs—when rumors swirled about an offer from Kentucky, Dan graciously deflected, telling reporters to “ask Andrea” about the speculation.

As Mallory’s humorous road-trip lineup suggests, the Hurleys have become a symbol of levity in a high-pressure environment, a reminder that even in the heat of competition, there’s room for humor and laughter.

As UConn prepares to face DePaul in their next Big East matchup, fans will undoubtedly look forward to seeing Hurley’s passion on full display. But perhaps it’s Andrea’s unfiltered charm and ability to keep Dan grounded that will steal the spotlight yet again—proving that, in their relationship, she’s the real MVP.