Dan Hurley “Seriously” Considered Stepping Down From UConn Last Year

[REB1094]

If it’s for a book, smart business move and ignore everything else

If it’s not, Hurley is completely driven as a coach (and likely a human) by emotion. He takes his job more seriously than is likely healthy in the long term. The highs are really high and I’m sure the lows are really low. Expecting more highs than lows over the course of his time here, but hopefully he’ll learn how to recognize and handle stress before it bubbles and blows up

I’m sure “the back to back national champion coach that had 9 guys drafted to the NBA in the last 5 years (4 lottery) wanted to quit once, but then didn’t and was 1 possession away from making the sweet 16” won’t deter any recruits from coming here

 

[jibsey]

He treats every loss like a death in the family. I love the passion and dedication but actually I wish he would throttle back for his own mental preservation. And… we might keep him longer that way.

 

[Horatio]

It’s clear that we’re gonna go through something like this every offseason. Been like that for 2 years now. Makes it kinda difficult to fully enjoy successful seasons. To be expected at this point.

 

[QDOG5]

https://www.cbs42.com/sports/ap-maniacal-approach-led-urban-meyer-to-success-fatigue-and-the-college-football-hall-of-fame/

from article on Urban Meyer:

“I’m a loss guy. I got to try to get off that,” he said. “There’s been some bad losses that I wish I had back. If you lose a game that you can say, ‘You know what, that team was a little better than us.’ But we also had some that you’re like, ‘Dammit, we want that one again.’”

Meyer calls his “maniacal approach” one of the key factors in him becoming one of greatest coaches in college football history.

“To the point where you don’t sleep, you don’t eat, you don’t act like a human being most of your life because you’re so fanatical about making sure everything’s done right,” Meyer said.

He recalled a moment after his first title when he was standing in a tunnel at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona.

“It’s one of those good news and bad news things,” Meyer said. “I got good news: you won it all. The bad news is you won it all. You become miserable when you’re not playing at that level, and that’s what happened.”

I remember photos of urban in a bar not being “too” distraught over a loss

 

[FfldCntyFan]

It’s clear that we’re gonna go through something like this every offseason. Been like that for 2 years now. Makes it kinda difficult to fully enjoy successful seasons. To be expected at this point.

Yeah, makes me nostalgic for the Perno years when we never had to worry about losing our coach.

 

[Inyatkin]

It’s clear that we’re gonna go through something like this every offseason. Been like that for 2 years now. Makes it kinda difficult to fully enjoy successful seasons. To be expected at this point.

How is this like the Lakers thing? It is not up in the air, there’s no tension, no wondering. The situations have nothing in common

 

[Horatio]

Yeah, makes me nostalgic for the Perno years when we never had to worry about losing our coach.

We just gotta enjoy him while he’s here, because he’s got options.

How is this like the Lakers thing? It is not up in the air, there’s no tension, no wondering. The situations have nothing in common

Because if it’s the NBA, Fox, Kentucky or just retirement, he won’t be our coach anymore. So to me, it’s all the same. Appreciate him. It’s just reality now.

 

[HooperScooper]

It’s clear that we’re gonna go through something like this every offseason. Been like that for 2 years now. Makes it kinda difficult to fully enjoy successful seasons. To be expected at this point.

 

[pj]

Coach Hurley produced a book about his personal struggles while chasing greatness. I don’t see this would harm recruiting. The title of the book is “Never Stop: Life, Leadership, and What It Takes to Be Great” NOT “I almost left UConn after winning two back to back NCs, but not three in a row”. As with most books, the media chases content that gives the most clicks.

Great news that he'll never stop leading UConn basketball.

 

[HooperScooper]

One question I still have. Define "seriously". Did Hurley say that word in the book? Because from what we've seen so far that has come out he didn't think about it for very long. So how serious could that have been?

 

[BullDawg]

Great news that he'll never stop leading UConn basketball.

Only if he doesn’t read the Boneyard. 😵‍💫

 

[Fishy]

As with Calhoun and basically every great coach in every sport, I take little of what comes out of Danny Hurley at face value. They’re serial fabulists, especially when they’re writing a book….comes with the territory.

 

[RuffRuff]

 

[HooperScooper]

Why publicize this? I'm with Fishy, Hurley talks too much.

 

[NJHoops]

Why publicize this?

Because everybody already knows the money situation?
UConn does fine but this conference thing can’t be ignored forever.

Also, the broader context, which is not the job of these lil blurbs, is that Castle and Clingan are incredible dudes.

 

[HooperScooper]

Because everybody already knows the money situation?
UConn does fine but this conference thing can’t be ignored forever.

Also, the broader context, which is not the job of these lil blurbs, is that Castle and Clingan are incredible dudes.

I guess it's similar to what he's said before. That if money is so high on your list of priorities for picking a school then you're probably not a Hurley kind of player.

What money situation? I thought UConn's NIL situation was fine.

 

[Mister P]

I think it was mentioned ( could have been by Momma Castle ) after Steph committed that he could have received more money elsewhere but he ( and family ) chose UConn because of the way the staff was honest and sincere about what Castle needed to do to earn his minutes along with getting better and ready for the NBA.

 

[Huskyforlife]

What I don’t understand is why winning means we’re supposed to just not care when he makes negative headlines every three weeks?

Not seeing anyone call for his job over it. But I can’t believe anyone actually enjoys the Hurley media circus.

I hope he coaches us for another decade plus. He’s the best coach in the sport right now.

These things aren’t mutually exclusive.

 

[ecasadoSBU]

that's one way to get people to buy your book. lol

 

[uh-no]

Who has won without a star?

one could aruge 2010 duke was a "star"less team. The lack of talent was a bit overstated, but certainly only kyle singler on that team had any sort of career (though hard to know if scheyer would have had he not gotten injured)

 

[temery]

Who has won without a star?

1972 Dolphins

 

[dennismenace]

Not far at all, steps behind maybe. Billy Donovan is at the level of the view you cite. And JC never had UConn men this high in the national consciousness ever. You aren't giving Dan Hurley his due.

Having Kimani as his assistant was a truly brilliant choice. They compliment one another perfectly and make a great team themselves along with Luke and five rings Moore. I just think they really love working with these kids and it gives them a great outlet to give of themselves. They all have a great understanding of how everything fits together. I think that in terms of the team they know when to put their egos aside and work together for the benefit of all. This is just my opinion but I see a lot of humility among them (see things as they really are) and they see what unity on a staff as well as a team is as great way to teach the players.

 

[Kitaman]

Me believes this book topic was strategically inserted to increase curiosity/interest leading to more book sales. (We've heading to a double digit page count on this thread alone).

If LA couldn't do it, do posters here really see Coach behind a desk in his prime holding a mic?

Just saying, I'm not taking it serious I know how it works. Smart move Coach!

 

[UCfor3]

1972 Dolphins

6 Hall of Fame Players and a Hall of Fame coach.

 

[Mr. French]

This is all a big nothing to me. I'm sure most people in high stress jobs that make a lot of money have thoughts of quitting at some point. I don't make nearly what Hurley makes and I have these thoughts all the time! Hurley is just too forthright when expressing his feelings. He admitted he asked if he was sharing too much with the author but decided to open up about everything. I'm sure he was burnt out and was wondering if this was all worth it. But shortly after realized this is what he likes to do. Don't most people go through this? He wasn't even close to leaving so no big deal.

This thread is classic Boneyard. Lol

This sums it up pretty well. Stupid for anyone to care that he said this, it’s totally normal if you’re human.