A new era of college basketball has arrived, and the closest thing to a recognizable “face” is University of Connecticut head coach Dan Hurley. Although the Huskies weren’t expected to be championship contenders this season following two consecutive NCAA titles, Hurley made headlines with his bold remarks and fiery temperament. However, after a heartbreaking Round of 32 loss to Florida, Hunley showcased a different side during his postgame interview with CBS’s Tracy Wolfson, experiencing a wave of emotion.
Tearfully, Hurley expressed that facing adversity to reach the tournament as an 8-seed made this season one of his favorites as a coach. “I thought we played with tremendous honor. I thought we played with the heart of a championship program,” he shared with Wolfson. When asked about his message to his UConn team, Hurley replied, “I told them I loved them. At times, I don’t think we liked each other a whole lot with some of the things we had to go through together, but I don’t think I’ll ever love a team more.”
UConn head coach Dan Hurley was very emotional in a CBS interview with Tracy Wolfson after the team’s NCAA Tournament loss to Florida.
“I don’t think I’ll ever love a team more…” #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/ib7ueiFpv7
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 23, 2025
Following the interview, CBS returned to the studio, where analyst Clark Kellogg echoed what many viewers likely felt. By acknowledging the loss gracefully and honoring his players despite the challenging season, Hurley maintained the esteemed reputation that UConn has built over the past decade. While he possesses a somewhat mixed reputation among college basketball fans due to his outbursts, he understands the importance of balancing competitive spirit with grace. There isn’t a scenario where Hurley can openly declare himself the best coach, seek the NBA limelight, and cultivate a polarizing public image while behaving like a sore loser.
Despite being overheard criticizing the referees as he left the court, Hurley recognizes that to truly represent college basketball and attract top talent to Storrs, maintaining dignity in tough moments is essential. Hurley managed to channel the disappointment from the loss into a poignant interview with Wolfson that is likely to go viral across sports platforms in the coming days.
