UConn Coach Dan Hurley Unlids the Pressure of Being Bob Hurley’s Son: “Sh*t I Would Be So Scared”

The Hurley bunch has built a lasting legacy for their name in basketball. While both Bobby and Dan Hurley are doing great as coaches of their respective college basketball programs, one name still scares the two. That is their father, Bob Hurley. The entire generational talent ladder began with this entity and has reached the point where even Dan’s son plays for UConn.

While there is no question that carrying the family name could be quite pressurizing, it seems like Dan is doing quite fine with his consecutive NCAA victories.

Talking about his father with JJ Reddick on ‘The Old Man and the Three’ podcast, UConn’s head coach explains his father’s image. Giving an example of Bob’s strictness, he said, “Back then, you have to get your quizzes and your tests signed by your parents, especially if you did bad. So, s**t, I would be so scared. I would try to forge my old man’s name because I’d be like ‘There’s no way I’m showing my dad a 71 on a math test.’ That’s what the standard was.” 

Dan Hurley also shared how Bob may get brutal at times with his level of perfectionism relative to every aspect of everything they were doing as kids. He also made sure that everything that they put the Hurley name on was no less than shining gold. Apart from his off-court dynamics with his father, Dan Hurley also talked about his basketball regimen as a kid along with his brother.

Dan Hurley under his father’s guidance

Many people know how much the Huskies head coach can wreck someone’s nerves trying to be a perfectionist. The UConn fans noticed Dan’s tantrums, especially during the 2024 NCAA men’s Championship Game. However, looks like he gets those genes from his father. The Naismith Coach of the Year told JJ Reddick how his mother and father would plan a 2-hour practice while all of his friends would be splashing water in the pool during the hot summer days.

Being under his father for the entirety of his high school days at St. Anthony, Dan had to bring out the best results for his coach and father Bob. Although the school never really lost any game, Bob would apparently be quite displeased if they did face a defeat. Nevertheless, knowing what the price would be if the team lost any game, Dan led the school with a 31-1 win-loss record as a senior. Consequently, St. Anthony ranked No. 2 nationally.