March Madness ended in frustration and pain for Dan Hurley and his 3-peat chasing Huskies. The back-to-back champs were knocked out in the second round by the eventual national champions, Florida. “We played with the heart of a championship program, a program that’s gone back to back. For a team to end what we really wanted to do, they were going to have to put us down,” Hurley said, proud of the fight his squad showed. But as always with UConn, the offseason brings plenty of changes. New faces arrive, veterans move on. Liam McNeeley is already on his way out, and more exits could be coming. Still, Hurley’s locked in on building the next contender–and he’s making sure the incoming players will get all the coaching and support they need to succeed in Storrs.

Since Dan Hurley took the reins at UConn, he’s always had his trusted circle around him. Kimani Young and Tom Moore have been with him from the very beginning, while Luke Murray came on board in 2021. Together, this core group has completely transformed the Huskies’ program–turning them into a powerhouse once again.

Under their leadership, UConn pulled off what no other program had done in over two decades–winning back-to-back national titles. And the last team to achieve that feat? Ironically, it’s the same squad that ended their run this year in the big dance–the Florida Gators. But it looks like UConn’s coaching circle is about to grow even bigger!

UConn’s front office is getting a serious glow-up to keep the program firing on all cylinders. Tom Moore, who’s been pulling double duty as assistant coach and general manager, is reportedly stepping into a full-time GM role, starting this April. Sources say this move lets Moore zero in on recruiting, player growth, and behind-the-scenes logistics, so Hurley and the coaches can focus on drawing up plays and winning games. It’s all part of Hurley’s plan to run UConn like a top-tier program, with a front office that’s as sharp as the team on the court.

Villanova’s interim head coach Mike Nardi, who took over during The Crown tournament following Kyle Neptune’s dismissal, is officially on his way out. With the school announcing Kevin Willard as their new head coach, a new chapter begins for the Wildcats. But Nardi’s coaching journey might just be getting more interesting.

According to basketball insider Adam Zagoria, Nardi could be headed to Connecticut. A New Jersey native just like Dan Hurley, the connection makes a lot of sense. Nardi has been part of the Villanova setup since 2015 and brings a ton of experience. In his 10 years with the Wildcats, Mike Nardi built quite the resume. Five Big East Tournament titles.Three trips to the Final Four. And two national championships.

“It was an amazing opportunity for myself to lead this program that is near and dear to my heart,” Nardi said on Instagram. “I want to thank Father Peter Donohue for giving me the opportunity, along with our athletic director, Eric Roedl. With that being said, I will be moving on, and I’m extremely excited for this opportunity…Villanova will always hold a special place in my heart. And once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.” 

Another championship-winning coach potentially joining the Huskies? That can only spell good news for UConn. The possible arrival of Mike Nardi has certainly sparked optimism within the program. But as one door opens, another seems to close.

Dan Hurley loses out on a top-25 recruit

UConn was all set to enter the new season with the second-best recruiting class in the country. “It’s a monster class,” Dan Hurley had said proudly. And rightly so. Three out of their four signees were 5-star talents. But 2025 just doesn’t seem to be the year for the 52-year-old. Another blow has landed, as one of those prized recruits has now officially decommitted from the program.

According to Joe Tipton of On3 Sports, highly touted UConn recruit Darius Adams has officially requested his release from the program. The La Lumiere (IN) standout has been a forced to be reckoned with. Adams began his high school journey at Manasquan.There, he made an instant impact. He led the Big Blue to an NJSIAA Group 2 title in 2023. Since then, he’s only gone up. From starring in high school to earning a spot in the prestigious McDonald’s All-American Game, Adams’ stock has continued to rise. But sadly, he won’t be part of the Huskies side this year.

“He’s a multi-dimensional scoring threat,” said Adam Finkelstein, 247Sports’ director of scouting. “He can knock down threes. He’s got a mid-range game. And he can score in a variety of ways,” Finkelstein told CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone. But it’s not just about scoring! Finkelstein praised Adams’ ability to read the floor and make plays with the ball in his hands.

On paper, he checks all the boxes of a typical Dan Hurley player — skilled, smart, and versatile. But with concerns about immediate playing time, the five-star recruit has decided to reopen his recruitment and won’t be suiting up in Storrs next season. It remains to be seen how the Huskies perform this season. Losing out on a key recruit like Adams will certainly be a huge loss for UConn, but fans will be eagerly waiting to see what coach Mike Nardi brings to the table. Stay tuned for more updates!