Having a hard time learning to love Hurley

[98Uconn]

Some of these takes are hard to read. Our lottery pick wasn't 100% and played like it. Our best guard was out during crunch time. Our 3 point ace couldn't hit. Our junkyard dog was off. Our athletic freak isn't an offensive threat yet... and we were carried by a freshman who will be a star but still makes freshman mistakes (bad fouls). Given all that we had two decent looks at the end that just didn't fall against a smart and talented basketball team. A couple years ago we were getting blown out against AAC teams I can't even find on a map while trying to stream the game on a site with the production value of a high school a/v club newscast.
Yet Hurley is not nice and coaches too hard. Ok.
Onward to the tournament for the first time in years. The Boneyard could be painfully stupid at times.

 

[MexicoHusky]

Maybe it's the fact that without fans, the mics pick up almost everything. So this year we were treated to 40 minutes of Hurley screaming into our living rooms. Through every. Single. Play. Rick Pitino is another incessant screamer. He did this even with the Celtics--shocker the players eventually quit on him. I don't believe Calhoun did that. Correct me if I'm wrong, but he screamed when he was upset with a player or a ref, but he didn't bark orders in real time on what players should do on every possession. Do players just ignore him? How the heck do you concentrate on the play and also focus on the advice coming from your maniac coach on the sidelines?

Also.............we have to talk about the mask thing. He takes it off to talk to refs, players, and the other coach, then he puts it back on when he walks away. Is this dress rehearsal? We're a year into the pandemic. Everyone knows by now that's the OPPOSITE of what you're supposed to do. He's either being ignorant or willfully non-complaint. Neither is a good look. Especially on a team that had multiple Covid related pauses.

Plus, he just doesn't have a warm personality. Yes, Calhoun was a nut, yes he could be a total jerk, but he still often seemed like a basically likable, down to earth guy. Hurley just doesn't seem to have that soft touch to balance out his angry lunacy. So I almost get more of a Bobby Knight vibe than a Jim Calhoun vibe. Calhoun seemed relaxed and comfortable in his own skin much of the time. Hurley constantly seems like a string that's about to snap--even in interviews where he's trying to be calm.

If they don't win--like, really win--in the next couple of years, I predict he's going to quit. Mental health sabbatical. Best thing. Otherwise he might murder someone!

I would say if you are looking for better behavior stop watching sports. It's filled with super competitive jerks. Calhoun was no peach. Frankly, you should know this.

Have you ever read Mike Francesa's comments about Calhoun from the 90s. I don't remember the exact quote, but Francesa referred to JC as humorless, paranoid and thin-skinned.... maybe petty as well. Not sure Francesa is anyone to talk, but whatever. Anyways, if you are looking for a gentleman, you are looking in the wrong place. All the coaches suck on some level. They are allowed to behave in ways that would be fire-able in all other workplaces.

 

[Doctor Hoop]

Some of these takes are hard to read. Our lottery pick wasn't 100% and played like it. Our best guard was out during crunch time. Our 3 point ace couldn't hit. Our junkyard dog was off. Our athletic freak isn't an offensive threat yet... and we were carried by a freshman who will be a star but still makes freshman mistakes (bad fouls). Given all that we had two decent looks at the end that just didn't fall against a smart and talented basketball team. A couple years ago we were getting blown out against AAC teams I can't even find on a map while trying to stream the game on a site with the production value of a high school a/v club newscast.
Yet Hurley is not nice and coaches too hard. Ok.
Onward to the tournament for the first time in years. The Boneyard could be painfully stupid at times.

That’s what I’m talking about! (Except for the gratuitous ad hominem at the end)

 

[UConniki]

Maybe it's the fact that without fans, the mics pick up almost everything. So this year we were treated to 40 minutes of Hurley screaming into our living rooms. Through every. Single. Play. Rick Pitino is another incessant screamer. He did this even with the Celtics--shocker the players eventually quit on him. I don't believe Calhoun did that. Correct me if I'm wrong, but he screamed when he was upset with a player or a ref, but he didn't bark orders in real time on what players should do on every possession. Do players just ignore him? How the heck do you concentrate on the play and also focus on the advice coming from your maniac coach on the sidelines?

Also.............we have to talk about the mask thing. He takes it off to talk to refs, players, and the other coach, then he puts it back on when he walks away. Is this dress rehearsal? We're a year into the pandemic. Everyone knows by now that's the OPPOSITE of what you're supposed to do. He's either being ignorant or willfully non-complaint. Neither is a good look. Especially on a team that had multiple Covid related pauses.

Plus, he just doesn't have a warm personality. Yes, Calhoun was a nut, yes he could be a total jerk, but he still often seemed like a basically likable, down to earth guy. Hurley just doesn't seem to have that soft touch to balance out his angry lunacy. So I almost get more of a Bobby Knight vibe than a Jim Calhoun vibe. Calhoun seemed relaxed and comfortable in his own skin much of the time. Hurley constantly seems like a string that's about to snap--even in interviews where he's trying to be calm.

If they don't win--like, really win--in the next couple of years, I predict he's going to quit. Mental health sabbatical. Best thing. Otherwise he might murder someone!

It's not his fault...He's from Jersey..... that's infinitely worse than being from New York...

 

[Improviser]

It's not his fault...He's from Jersey..... that's infinitely worse than being from New York...

If you were some other college's Athletic Director, I guess you wouldn't hire him.

 

[Huskybass]

Maybe it's the fact that without fans, the mics pick up almost everything. So this year we were treated to 40 minutes of Hurley screaming into our living rooms. Through every. Single. Play. Rick Pitino is another incessant screamer. He did this even with the Celtics--shocker the players eventually quit on him. I don't believe Calhoun did that. Correct me if I'm wrong, but he screamed when he was upset with a player or a ref, but he didn't bark orders in real time on what players should do on every possession. Do players just ignore him? How the heck do you concentrate on the play and also focus on the advice coming from your maniac coach on the sidelines?

Also.............we have to talk about the mask thing. He takes it off to talk to refs, players, and the other coach, then he puts it back on when he walks away. Is this dress rehearsal? We're a year into the pandemic. Everyone knows by now that's the OPPOSITE of what you're supposed to do. He's either being ignorant or willfully non-complaint. Neither is a good look. Especially on a team that had multiple Covid related pauses.

Plus, he just doesn't have a warm personality. Yes, Calhoun was a nut, yes he could be a total jerk, but he still often seemed like a basically likable, down to earth guy. Hurley just doesn't seem to have that soft touch to balance out his angry lunacy. So I almost get more of a Bobby Knight vibe than a Jim Calhoun vibe. Calhoun seemed relaxed and comfortable in his own skin much of the time. Hurley constantly seems like a string that's about to snap--even in interviews where he's trying to be calm.

If they don't win--like, really win--in the next couple of years, I predict he's going to quit. Mental health sabbatical. Best thing. Otherwise he might murder someone!

The guy took this team from a Kenpom around 180 to somewhere in the 20s and you are complaining. Unreal.

I feel blessed to have someone as passionate and engaged as a coach. Perhaps I am too easily impressed.

 

[RyanFoul]

Calhoun was Vito Corleone. Hurley is Michael Corleone.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

You guys are sad. You don't understand the difference between being a fan and sycophant.

Fan is short for fanatic which implies a degree of mental derangement.

 

[Improviser]

Some of these takes are hard to read. Our lottery pick wasn't 100% and played like it. Our best guard was out during crunch time. Our 3 point ace couldn't hit. Our junkyard dog was off. Our athletic freak isn't an offensive threat yet... and we were carried by a freshman who will be a star but still makes freshman mistakes (bad fouls). Given all that we had two decent looks at the end that just didn't fall against a smart and talented basketball team. A couple years ago we were getting blown out against AAC teams I can't even find on a map while trying to stream the game on a site with the production value of a high school a/v club newscast.
Yet Hurley is not nice and coaches too hard. Ok.
Onward to the tournament for the first time in years. The Boneyard could be painfully stupid at times.

And yet, we came close to winning with all the above having happened.

Don't be surprised if Creighton makes a deep run in the tournament. And maybe UConn will too.

If Cole is okay and ready to play again, and Bouknight with a couple more days of rest reverts to form, all should be okay.

 

[RyanFoul]

I’ll admit I’ve also noticed this more and more over the past few games and thought he sounded like I did when I was an assistant coach on my daughter’s youth soccer team. At some point I realized I was doing it more for myself as a crazed fan than I was for their development, and I stopped doing it nearly as much.

Thank you. It's demeaning to the players. LET THEM PLAY THE GAME. If you coach them well enough in practice, they will know what to do. And if they still don't, look in the mirror at yourself as a coach. And the idea that you have to do that to be successful is nonsense. Again, the mic's pick up on some coaches trying to micromanage every pass and every defensive assignment in real time more than others. Empty arenas have exposed that. Hurley is always the loudest coach in the room.

 

[Waquoit]

Calhoun was Vito Corleone. Hurley is Michael Corleone.

Not in their respective 3rd years at UConn they aren't. Calhoun had 3 NBA players on his squad and still sputtered down the stretch, losing in the first round in the BET to Hall. Didn't even make the Dance. Hurley is way ahead of Calhoun.

 

[RyanFoul]

I don’t think you watched Calhoun much, if you think he didn’t talk during games. He talked to players on court, his assistants and yelled at players on bench for things that happened on court through the whole game. Also to suggest Dan Hurley might murder someone is ridiculous. Wow

Your hyperbole detector is broken.

 

[Vuce]

Thank you. It's demeaning to the players. LET THEM PLAY THE GAME. If you coach them well enough in practice, they will know what to do. And if they still don't, look in the mirror at yourself as a coach. And the idea that you have to do that to be successful is nonsense. Again, the mic's pick up on some coaches trying to micromanage every pass and every defensive assignment in real time more than others. Empty arenas have exposed that. Hurley is always the loudest coach in the room.

🤡

 

[RyanFoul]

the only thing that has prompted you to comment in two years - notwithstanding all the relatively significant developments within the program during that time - is that you think Hurley is mean and will have a mental breakdown and doesn’t wear his mask right. and you post this immediately after a loss in the Big East semifinals. and you’re indignant that people think you’re a clown.

Actually I'm probably the least indignant person in this thread. I find it funny that you guys can't handle any criticism of the head coach or anyone who posts anything against the grain. They are immediately a troll. Can't possibly be their sincere thoughts because in our cozy little bubble, no one says that!

 

[RyanFoul]

The OP is nonsense, clearly doesn't know the game.

Correction: I'm a clown show. Can't you read?

 

[Waquoit]

Correction: I'm a clown show. Can't you read?

You can be both.

 

[8893]

Actually I'm probably the least indignant person in this thread.

That’s an interesting take.

 

[Vuce]

Actually I'm probably the least indignant person in this thread. I find it funny that you guys can't handle any criticism of the head coach or anyone who posts anything against the grain. They are immediately a troll. Can't possibly be their sincere thoughts because in our cozy little bubble, no one says that!

🤡

 

[Hi-Low]

Actually I'm probably the least indignant person in this thread. I find it funny that you guys can't handle any criticism of the head coach or anyone who posts anything against the grain. They are immediately a troll. Can't possibly be their sincere thoughts because in our cozy little bubble, no one says that!

Because nothing you said about Dan Hurley is really the case...your goal (like all trolls) was to illicit a response to feed your pathetic sense of "fun".....so congrats!

 

[RyanFoul]

I would say if you are looking for better behavior stop watching sports. It's filled with super competitive jerks. Calhoun was no peach. Frankly, you should know this.

Have you ever read Mike Francesa's comments about Calhoun from the 90s. I don't remember the exact quote, but Francesa referred to JC as humorless, paranoid and thin-skinned.... maybe petty as well. Not sure Francesa is anyone to talk, but whatever. Anyways, if you are looking for a gentleman, you are looking in the wrong place. All the coaches suck on some level. They are allowed to behave in ways that would be fire-able in all other workplaces.

I'm aware that basketball coaches veer to the jerky end of the spectrum. But even within that spectrum, seem veer just a bit too far. But you could be right. Maybe the older I get, the less tolerance I have for arrogant, screaming like a psycho coaches. In the bubble of college sports, it's normalized and conflated with "being a winner". Maybe I'm just over it. That and the Michigan State Spartans Presented By Rocket Mortgage make me think I just don't love college basketball as much as I used to.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

I don't believe Calhoun did that. Correct me if I'm wrong,

You are so very wrong.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Actually I'm probably the least indignant person in this thread. I find it funny that you guys can't handle any criticism of the head coach or anyone who posts anything against the grain. They are immediately a troll. Can't possibly be their sincere thoughts because in our cozy little bubble, no one says that!

I think i summarized the reasons why your post is getting the reaction it does. Look around - does it look like the Boneyard is off limits for criticism? After a loss criticism usually comprises 75% of the posts, and the rest are Scrappy. You said something exceptionally stupid and people are reacting to it. There’s a difference.

 

[huskiesNhoos]

It's pretty funny how all of these threads are started by posters with <50 posts and it's always all the same comments. And by funny I mean massively annoying

I stayed quiet last night, but noticed that post game there were ~650 members online and ~2000+ visitors. like moth to a flame...

 

[Husk04ies]

I disagree he doesn't have a soft side or touch....he comforted a crying Cole last night, he was visibly upset when Akok went down....he stood up for AG over and over when ppl attacked him.

 

[SubbaBub]

Nobody I'd rather have leading the program right now. Dan will continue to get better.

 

[Doctor Hoop]

Not in their respective 3rd years at UConn they aren't. Calhoun had 3 NBA players on his squad and still sputtered down the stretch, losing in the first round in the BET to Hall. Didn't even make the Dance. Hurley is way ahead of Calhoun.

A little different. Calhoun was building from near-doormat. Hurley is building from stellar history.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I disagree he doesn't have a soft side or touch....he comforted a crying Cole last night, he was visibly upset when Akok went down....he stood up for AG over and over when ppl attacked him.

Like every other coach Hurley’s got things to work on but his ability to build relationships with his players might be the last thing he needs help with.

 

[AdamaNation]

It boggles my mind why people would even get so upset. Sheep. Apparently we're supposed to worship at the altar of the head coach. He's infallible. Someone above accused me of lack of nuance. It's possible to be a fan and STILL have mixed feelings about your coach. That's nuance.

Sheep as in sheeple? Know where this is headed.

 

[Huskyforlife]

This guy definitely wasn't watching during the KO years, or he'd love the change in energy.

He also wasn't watching the Memphis game last year, or he'd know Hurley isn't an unhinged lunatic, he cares about the players more than anything.

 

[rollskies]

This guy definitely wasn't watching during the KO years, or he'd love the change in energy.

He also wasn't watching the Memphis game last year, or he'd know Hurley isn't an unhinged lunatic, he cares about the players more than anything.

It’s so ridiculous. Every time we lose a game people are on here calling for Hurley to get fired saying he’s not the right fit. After that absolute mess he got us out of. We’re going to lose about 10 games a year (give or take). He’s not gonna get fired every time.

Always room for improvement and constructive criticism/debate. But holy hell we’ve had a great year and the best year this program has seen in some time in a new conference and people are still going nuts.