UConn head coach Dan Hurley is not holding back when it comes to the current state of his team. With the Huskies struggling to find their rhythmHurley Sounds Off: ‘UConn Lacks Fire and Tenacity’ as Huskies Struggle, Hurley drew a clear comparison between this season’s squad and the championship-caliber teams of the past two years.
“This team doesn’t have that same swagger,” Hurley said bluntly. “In years past, players like Cam Spencer, Donovan Clingan, and Andre Jackson brought intensity and passion—when you have players like that, your job as a coach is easier. But this year, I have to coach with more fire because my team isn’t bringing it.”
The Huskies have been far from dominant, losing three of their last six games and slipping to No. 25 in the AP poll for the second time this season. Their loss total has already surpassed that of the entire previous year. Hurley’s frustration is palpable, and it shows in his fiery demeanor.
His intensity boiled over during UConn’s win over Butler on Jan. 22, when Hurley was caught on camera telling an official, “Don’t turn your back on me, I’m the best coach in the f—–g sport.” His emotional outbursts didn’t stop there—he’s also publicly slammed podcast analysts for their “stupid” comments and declared that UConn will never participate in multi-team events again.
Despite the attention and critiques from analysts, Hurley is resolute. “I respect former coaches’ private opinions, but the analysts can say what they want—I couldn’t care less,” he fired back. “I’m not changing the way I coach after 25 years.”
With the return of freshman Liam McNeeley on the horizon, UConn hopes to regain some much-needed momentum when they face No. 9 Marquette on Saturday. The Huskies need to channel some of that championship energy—before it’s too late.
