Who would have thought that the biggest NCAA Tournament controversy would arise from UConn head coach Dan Hurley venting in the tunnel after his team’s elimination? Hurley’s complaints about referees are a recurring theme, but this time, his remarks were recorded by local North Carolina sports reporter Joey Ellis. In the aftermath, a new controversy unfolded when Ellis was threatened by UConn communications director Bobby Mullen, who warned Ellis he would “ruin his life” for posting the video showing Hurley expressing hope that Baylor wouldn’t experience the same fate as his team did during their Round of 32 loss to top seed Florida.
This incident generated a flurry of responses, including opinions from figures like Seth Greenberg, who claimed that the tunnel connecting the locker room and the court is a “sacred space” that should be more carefully guarded than government war plans. However, before matters escalated further, Ellis posted on X to announce that he had spoken to Mullen, received an apology, and now considered the matter settled.
Just a quick (and hopefully final) update: Bobby Mullen and I spoke a short time ago, during which he apologized for his behavior. I accepted it … and life rolls on. https://t.co/LymGRxJpYf
— Joey Ellis (@Jellis1016) March 25, 2025
It would have been more appropriate for Mullen and UConn to issue a public apology initially rather than releasing a brief statement that shifted the blame onto Ellis for capturing Hurley in a compromising situation while he was venting. For now, this should lay the story to rest—at least until the next outburst from Dan Hurley captures the world’s attention again.
