UConn Men’s Basketball coach Dan Hurley’s latest sideline antics with officials were caught on broadcast cameras Tuesday night as the Huskies outlasted Butler in overtime to win their 15th straight game at the XL Center in Hartford.
The veteran coach who led the Huskies to back-to-back national championships over the past two seasons, has been known to let officials know exactly how he feels. Tuesday night was no different, but Hurley’s choice of words for an official became an instant viral moment on social media.
UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley watches from the sideline as they take on the Butler Bulldogs at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion on January 21, 2025 in Storrs, Connecticut. (David Butler II-Imagn Images)
At the end of the first half, with UConn leading by 10, Hurley approached a referee after he believed a foul should have been called on a defensive rebound attempt.
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But when Hurley pleaded his case, the judge turned his back on the coach. That’s when the broadcast picked up Hurley’s epic one-liner.
“Don’t turn your back on me, I’m the best coach in the f—ing sport.”
Hurley denied making the remark in his postgame presser, explaining that he was seeking more “communication” from the officials.
“I said so,” Hurley replied with a smile. “Oh, yeah. I’m going to sound like a – hole here – I want some level of communication too.”
UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley watches from the sideline as they take on the Butler Bulldogs at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion on January 21, 2025 in Storrs, Connecticut. (David Butler II-Imagn Images)
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Hurley went a step further to defend himself, adding that his interactions with officials aren’t unique, but his camera time is.
“I just wish they put the camera more on the other coach,” he continued. “I just wish they would show that these other coaches lost their minds over the officials in others Big East game that I train where I see – going into a timeout where I don’t talk to officials. I see the other coaches as demonstrative as I am.
“But the camera, of course – I created this for myself. I’m not the victim. I just wish they wouldn’t have the camera on me 90% of the time. Unless they want its driving ratings and more a — holes on Twitter that can put clips of me from a game and those [can say] ‘Look how big a monster he is. He calls for a referee again. What a monster.'”
Alex Karaban, #11 of the Connecticut Huskies, reacts after scoring and being fouled during overtime of an NCAA basketball game at the XL Center on January 21, 2025 in Hartford, Connecticut. The Huskies defeated the Bulldogs 80-78 in overtime. (Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)
UConn had won 28 straight at home before Saturday’s loss to Creighton, but they rebounded Tuesday after the performance of Solo Ball, who scored a career-high 23 points in the 80-78 overtime victory over Butler.
