Fox college basketball announcer John Fanta has been a front-row observer of the UConn men’s basketball dynasty and could likely pen the ultimate narrative on head coach Dan Hurley. When Fanta speaks about Hurley, it’s from a place of authenticity.
During an 18-9 season for the Huskies and amidst a monumental trade sending Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, Fanta appeared on the Pardon My Take podcast, where he revisited a significant what-if scenario involving Hurley and the Lakers from last summer. The Lakers had famously attempted to entice Hurley to L.A. after he secured his second consecutive NCAA championship, but he ultimately turned down the offer. When asked if the Dončić trade and UConn’s downturn this season would lead Hurley to regret that choice, Fanta confidently replied, “I don’t think that he would regret it. I don’t think he lives with regret that he didn’t take that job. Dan is so happy with his wife and his status as the king. If you enter the NBA, you often become secondary, if not tertiary; while you could make headlines, they might not be for the right reasons.”
This season, Dan Hurley has made headlines for his tantrums towards officials and for declaring himself “the best coach in the f***ing sport.” Fanta appreciates not just Hurley’s pro wrestling character, but also notes that he clearly enjoys being in the spotlight. “We’re not breaking down NBA head coaches during this time of year. Hurley’s in the headlines every day,” added Fanta, who covers Big East basketball for Fox and the conference’s digital network. “He loves it, and that’s a good thing. We need more of that energy in college basketball.”
Hurley’s persona is ideal for a sport that has given us figures like Bob Knight, Rick Pitino, and Bob Huggins, and it stands in stark contrast to the culture of the NBA. “If he were to act like that in the NBA, people would view it as unsustainable,” Fanta elaborated. “He would have to modify his entire act to fit into the NBA, where coaches are not the focus. The NBA is the least coach-centric league; if you make even a single mistake, you can be quickly discarded. He thrives in college basketball, and I don’t think he regrets his choice.”
Moreover, Hurley leveraged the Lakers’ offer to secure a raise at UConn, prompting speculation about the legitimacy of his interest in L.A. Ultimately, it worked out well for him, as the Huskies remain projected as an 8-seed in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, even in a less than stellar year.
In summary, Dan Hurley rules over college hoops while earning a substantial income, making his situation remarkably favorable even when compared to coaching Dončić.
