Coach Hurley says this year's team can't take "hard" coaching

[TroyHall98]

Let's hope it's the former.

I don’t understand how these statements, which he has said before, can be considered motivation. If he can’t coach these guys as tough as he likes, then does he really think publicly criticizing them is the right strategy? Repeating these statements after a huge come from behind win just reeks of questionable leadership.

 

[Waquoit]

He's just being honest. If you want coachspeak, he ain't your guy.

Usually that’s a feature. But when he’s saying it’s not me, it’s them; I think it’s better left unsaid.

 

[pj]

Usually that’s a feature. But when he’s saying it’s not me, it’s them; I think it’s better left unsaid.

He doesn't get to play. On the court, it's up to them. He can and should take blame for preparation and practice, but it's fair to point out that the play in games is not up to standard. Also, the time for him to take blame is post-season. You don't have to be perfect mid-process. You have to be constantly improving and get to the best place you can in March.

 

[yungdowork]

What Pitino said and what Hurley said are not the same. Hurley even said that the entire team, he included, were not prepared for this level of scrutiny

Pitino said in February last year that the season is lost, that the team isn’t tough (not that they can’t be coached tough) and that it’s been the most unenjoyable experience of his life

Worth noting that after Pitino said that on 2/19, the team won its next 6 games until it ran into us in the Big East Tournament.

In reference to the Hurley quote, I don't really see how its a big deal when Karaban said “As a team, I'm talking player-wise, we don't take every game seriously and don't treat every game life-or-death the way that the coaching staff does,” less than a week ago.

 

[boog204]

Worth noting that after Pitino said that on 2/19, the team won its next 6 games until it ran into us in the Big East Tournament.

In reference to the Hurley quote, I don't really see how its a big deal when Karaban said “As a team, I'm talking player-wise, we don't take every game seriously and don't treat every game life-or-death the way that the coaching staff does,” less than a week ago.

It’s very different when a player speaks about the players versus a coach throwing his players on the bus. How would you feel if AK came out and said our coaching staff isn’t coaching us the way we need to be coached?

 

[yungdowork]

It’s very different when a player speaks about the players versus a coach throwing his players on the bus. How would you feel if AK came out and said our coaching staff isn’t coaching us the way we need to be coached?

But Hurley never said the team isn't responding to coaching or isn't good enough? He said he was being too hard on them and needed to adjust his coaching style accordingly. He said the team got rattled in Maui and that he had to build the team up instead of being hard on them. That seems like self-reflection more than anything. In the same interview he complimented their offensive ability and said they have the capability to get on a roll and beat anybody.

Seems like a lot of people only read the intentionally sensationalist headline or else they already have an agenda against Hurley, because this is a nothing burger.

 

[navery12]

in his post game seton hall comments he talks about how his players need to do a better job to getting open, making cuts, making a second move, faking going deep. "You have to want to get open". "they did alot of things that make you look like a poorly coached team" Thats the first two minutes of the video.

And youre insult cuts deep, lol. You really are a clown, but most of the board knows that. Your bball knowledge is clearly beyond reproach

show me the clip where he says the blame falls on him. Mustve missed it. Can you show me?

ps watch the first 2 minutes, in case you missed it lol
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="" title="Dan Hurley Postgame Press Conference - Seton Hall (2/15)" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[jostar1]

It’s very different when a player speaks about the players versus a coach throwing his players on the bus. How would you feel if AK came out and said our coaching staff isn’t coaching us the way we need to be coached?

At this point in the season, I don't care what the players "feel". Hurley has tried the soft motivation---telling Mahaney he's going to rise like a phoenix and encouraging Reed to be a bear. Praising Ross sky-high: “He’s got great tools … clean shooting and a good feel for the game, and obviously athleticism and size. He used the court time last year versus Tristen (Newton), versus Cam (Spencer), versus Steph (Castle), and he just used that time to get better. (He’s) smart, personable, alive … fun to coach because he looks you in the eyes and responds and you can have a conversation with him … it’s awesome.”

How's that been working?

 

[UConnTrumbull]

Some of you make being a UConn fan embarrassing. Y’all don’t deserve Dan.

 

[boog204]

But Hurley never said the team isn't responding to coaching or isn't good enough? He said he was being too hard on them and needed to adjust his coaching style accordingly. He said the team got rattled in Maui and that he had to build the team up instead of being hard on them. That seems like self-reflection more than anything. In the same interview he complimented their offensive ability and said they have the capability to get on a roll and beat anybody.

Seems like a lot of people only read the intentionally sensationalist headline or else they already have an agenda against Hurley, because this is a nothing burger.

I read it as deflection. Not sure what the question was that preceded, but he’s saying that this team can’t handle his coaching style and as a result he can’t coach the way he feels he can and has to spend time “building them up” because it’s too heavy for everyone. He’s taken some shots at the team for not having fight, energy, or having “dogs.” But dude, you chose every player. They were handpicked. You talked about the exact type
Of kid/player you prioritize and they’re here. Any issue, then, is on you if they are not responding.

 

[Palatine]

That’s fine. But don’t be hypocritical then. You can’t use every opportunity to talk about how you recruit only the “right” guys and then say they are the wrong guys and you can’t coach them your way.

He didn't say the were the "wrong" guys. Every group is going to be different to some extent. They will have different strengths and weaknesses. Etc.

 

[yungdowork]

I read it as deflection. Not sure what the question was that preceded, but he’s saying that this team can’t handle his coaching style and as a result he can’t coach the way he feels he can and has to spend time “building them up” because it’s too heavy for everyone. He’s taken some shots at the team for not having fight, energy, or having “dogs.” But dude, you chose every player. They were handpicked. You talked about the exact type
Of kid/player you prioritize and they’re here. Any issue, then, is on you if they are not responding.

Well knowing the context of the question seems pretty important to understanding the response.

A team where every returning player has an expanded role compared to last year had some bad losses early in the year and it cratered their confidence. As a result, Hurley realized he has to coach them differently and work on getting guys back in the right headspace.

Hurley has also repeatedly taken accountability since he’s been here. Most notably in 2023 when he talked about how the coaching staff didn’t get the guys prepared for the pressure of being a top team. I don’t know why he’d suddenly be ducking responsibility now and trying to deflect when that’s never been his M.O before.

 

[Fishy]

People hang too much on what these coaches say. They have a microphone shoved in their face five times a week and 98% of what comes out of their mouths is just nonsense off the top of their heads.

About 3/4ths of this team was here last year, so I’m pretty sure they can be coached however they need to be coached. They’re just not as good so the coaching in vs results out ratio isn’t the same.

 

[Huskyforlife]

It’s gotta be hard as a great coach when your team is underperforming expectations, cause obviously you know what you’re doing.

You would like to admit the talent level didn’t match expectations, or the team isn’t executing well enough. But that would be too mean, and you’re paid to take responsibility when things go wrong.

Instead you gotta come up with lame excuses as to why your coaching “isn’t working.” Of course Dan knows how to change his style for each group, he didn’t start doing this yesterday.

 

[Mets8692]

This is the 3rd time coach has said this team is "to nice". I don't know why its all of a sudden gaining so much traction.

 

[Robrio89]

Deflection narrative achieved. You recruited these nice kids from a good family, but they arent tough enough, got it.

I think we bashed Pitino when did the same end of last year. It's an ego saving measure. Coaching implies coaching what you got.

Go ahead and watch that press conference and maybe you will realize that your comparison isn’t really that honest. Side by side you listen to both and it’s not even similar in the least. Hurley sounds soft compared to what was coming out of Pitino.

Man am I kind of embarrassed to be reading any of the garbage being posted on this board from fans lamenting so goshdarn hard about this team, to the point I don’t know who here is really a fan or maybe you are all just undercover Villanova fans?

We have 8 losses. Holy crap the sky is falling everybody run for cover. Never have I seen more people switch up like this. It really is sad. Makes me wonder when most of you started watching.

If your team wins back to back national championships and this is how you react to an 18-8 record maybe you should just be playing video games and sim through it. No reason to post here or even involve yourselves in watching games.

For the fans who aren’t freaking out. Thank you. Thank you for not letting your disappointment turn into poor judgement. You remember what it means to be a fan. Get frustrated, then get back to cheering. Leave the garbage for the opponents.

 

[FreeKlaiber]

Go ahead and watch that press conference and maybe you will realize that your comparison isn’t really that honest. Side by side you listen to both and it’s not even similar in the least. Hurley sounds soft compared to what was coming out of Pitino.

Man am I kind of embarrassed to be reading any of the garbage being posted on this board from fans lamenting so goshdarn hard about this team, to the point I don’t know who here is really a fan or maybe you are all just undercover Villanova fans?

We have 8 losses. Holy crap the sky is falling everybody run for cover. Never have I seen more people switch up like this. It really is sad. Makes me wonder when most of you started watching.

If your team wins back to back national championships and this is how you react to an 18-8 record maybe you should just be playing video games and sim through it. No reason to post here or even involve yourselves in watching games.

For the fans who aren’t freaking out. Thank you. Thank you for not letting your disappointment turn into poor judgement. You remember what it means to be a fan. Get frustrated, then get back to cheering. Leave the garbage for the opponents.

wasn't being dishonest at all. Conceded 2 pages ago Pitino's was much worse, in that he completely absolved himself of any blame. The similarity is the public calling out of your team for whatever reason you might do it, from a coaching perspective. Whether its how hard they played or how tough they are or whether they can handle hard coaching. Cronin did it at UCLA this year too. Pitino did it again last week asking his team what kind of parents they have had to never learn about adversity. It's a bad look from a coaching point, IMO. And Pitino is still on my Mt rushmore of coaches. Just think it's a bad look. Straw man away if you want about freaking out over our record

 

[REB1094]

Everything Dan Hurley says about his players in public is a challenge

You'll either accept the challenge or you'll decline the challenge. Your response determines your opportunities

 

[Robrio89]

wasn't being dishonest at all. Conceded 2 pages ago Pitino's was much worse, in that he completely absolved himself of any blame. The similarity is the public calling out of your team for whatever reason you might do it, from a coaching perspective. Whether its how hard they played or how tough they are or whether they can handle hard coaching. Cronin did it at UCLA this year too. Pitino did it again last week asking his team what kind of parents they have had to never learn about adversity. It's a bad look from a coaching point, IMO. And Pitino is still on my Mt rushmore of coaches. Just think it's a bad look. Straw man away if you want about freaking out over our record

Didn’t dig for the concession but still believe you made that comparison without giving Pitinos comments a proper second listen. I agree that you don’t throw the players under the bus but I also didn’t really get that impression from listening to Hurley. If I do have a grievance about his comments it’s that he goes on too much about who we lost and could do a better job of propping up some of the current players. Especially while espousing how sensitive he finds them to be.

When Pitino made those comments, they were much harsher and the sports world agreed. Seeing your comparison triggered me as I had a real problem with what and how Pitino said what he did when I really didn’t hear anything similar in Hurley here.

Could have made my response to you and what I had to say in general, two separate posts, I will give you that. Straw man away.

I don’t really see Pitino the same way. Hearing Ray Allen talk about the difference in how he was recruited with Pitino vs Calhoun gave me a negative bias towards the guy, that was only compounded by last years player comments and crybaby response about needing to play Carnesecca this year.

 

[AntG168]

Some of you just don’t like Dan. It’s obvious. How you took what he said as an issue is hilarious. I’m sure you’ll be happy when he’s gone. He’s not perfect. But many of you are REACHING.

 

[Giddyup5]

Say and think whatever you want.

Dan is consistently authentic. He is going to say what he feels. Believe it not, that helps him way more then it hurts him in life.

 

[gtcam]

Bottom line - did these kids just appear out of the blue or did someone recruit or picked them out of the portal?

 

[jostar1]

If I do have a grievance about his comments it’s that he goes on too much about who we lost and could do a better job of propping up some of the current players. Especially while espousing how sensitive he finds them to be.

He could do a better job of propping up some of the current players?

He's done everything he could to prop up Mahaney. Started him, played him more than he probably should have, encouraged him with the phoenix metaphor, grabbed him and hugged him.

Publicly praised Ross: "Dan Hurley has stressed that this year’s UConn team will only go as far as its defense allows, and Ross is the player who he envisions raising the ceiling. “Our defense is not what it’s been. He’s the type of player that could help us,” Hurley told reporters in Chicago after the 81-68 victory, the team’s seventh in a row. “If we could get him into the 20 minutes a game range, with his length and athleticism on the perimeter, he could be a stopper type like we’ve had with (Stephon) Castle, like we had with Andre Jackson.”

He said this about Solo Ball, Jayden Ross, and Jaylin Stewart: “We got some sophomores that are about to take off here,” Hurley told McAfee.
“Some kids that we convinced to stay here. They didn’t play as much as they wanted to as freshmen, but they saw some openings in our program through the NBA draft … so we got some sophomores that are about to take off like rocket ships.”

“Solo Ball, Jayden Ross, and Jaylin Stewart. We got three sophomores (who are) going to make a big jump.”

 

[freescooter]

Bill Parcells said a great coach could “take his’n and beat your’n and take your’n and beat his’n”. I think we are finding out that is not DH.

Actually that was description of Bear Bryant by Bum Phillips but Parcells might have borrowed it.