The viral clip of UConn head coach Dan Hurley warning Baylor about the referees following the Huskies’ season-ending loss in the NCAA Tournament gained significant attention on Monday, particularly after reports surfaced indicating that a program staffer had allegedly threatened the reporter who filmed the incident. UConn’s director of men’s basketball communications, Bobby Mullen, shared a now-deleted post defending his actions while acknowledging that his “temper flared a bit in a moment of weakness after a loss.” In this post, Mullen expressed, “PR man yells at reporter. News at 11.” He further stated, “I have a journalism degree and I know the difference between reporting and seeking out ‘gotcha’ moments. My temper flared a bit in a moment of weakness after a loss, but I think the journalists I work with regularly would vouch for me,” as reported by multiple outlets, including the New York Post.
Make sure to include the since deleted response from PR, too. pic.twitter.com/S8B3Cyuhrg
— Demetrius Harvey (@Demetrius82) March 25, 2025
Mullen’s defense came after Gabe McDonald of Charlotte Sports Live reported that a Huskies staffer had threatened Queen City News reporter Joey Ellis, stating he would “ruin his life” unless the video was deleted. The video captured Hurley’s remarks as he left the court following UConn’s 77-75 loss to Florida in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Hurley was seen saying, “I hope they don’t f*ck you like they f*cked us,” addressing the Bears, who were preparing to face Duke.
Dan Hurley exiting the arena after UConn’s NCAA Tournament loss to Florida, presumably about the officiating:
“I hope they don’t f*ck you like they f*cked us. I hope they don’t do that to you, Baylor.” #MarchMadness
(via @Jellis1016) pic.twitter.com/LTtRkSCkpf
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 23, 2025
In a statement to Charlotte Sports Live regarding the situation, UConn attempted to deflect blame onto Ellis by stating, “The lasting image of Coach Hurley leaving the court should’ve been his walking off the court arm-in-arm with his seniors, overwhelmed with emotion. Instead, a reporter, who was in an area he should not have been, recorded on his cell phone a private comment made to members of another coaching staff.”
While the original video of Hurley drew considerable attention, UConn’s handling of the viral clip has further entrenched the story in the news cycle. Although Mullen’s now-deleted post suggests he believed he was merely performing his duties, the negative publicity ensuing from his reaction likely was not the outcome he envisioned.
