How Billy Donovan helped Dan Hurley become national champion

[HooperScooper]

"There were times he picked my brain on stuff, and quite honestly, I picked his brain on stuff," Donovan recalled. "Danny’s been around this game his entire life. He and I are very similar."

How NBA coach Billy Donovan helped UConn's Dan Hurley become national champion: 'He and I are very similar'

Dan Hurley has listed Billy Donovan as one of the coaches he's modeled himself after, and the two share plenty of similarities, including national titles.

www.nhregister.com

Alternate access:

How NBA coach Billy Donovan helped UConn's Dan Hurley become national champion: 'He and I are very similar'​

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Billy Donavan is a great coach who doesn’t get enough credit for winning at a place like Fla . He should be in the HOF .
Florida basketball history was so bleak before him . 3 NCAA appearances in 50 years . Only a handful of winning seasons .
When he called Pitino to tell him he got the offer Rick told him if he wanted a career in coaching to turn the job down , it was a career ender.
They never even had a full time coach until 1960 nor any place to play for a long time . That’s what an afterthought that sport was there .
Of all the coaches we beat in 2014 his post game assessment of UConn. was the most accurate and honest without a hint of excuse like some coaches . He is is an impressive guy .

 

[aburks41]

Billy Donavan is a great coach who doesn’t get enough credit for winning at a place like Fla . He should be in the HOF .
Florida basketball history was so bleak before him . 3 NCAA appearances in 50 years . Only a handful of winning seasons .
When he called Pitino to tell him he got the offer Rick told him if he wanted a career in coaching to turn the job down , it was a career ender.
They never even had a full time coach until 1960 nor any place to play for a long time . That’s what an afterthought that sport was there .
Of all the coaches we beat in 2014 his post game assessment of UConn. was the most accurate and honest without a hint of excuse like some coaches . He is is an impressive guy .

If he had stayed in college he'd likely be a HOFer right now. Winning percentage over .700, 4 FF, 2 Titles. All by the age of 50 too. That's crazy

 

[August_West]

I like Billy Donovan, I like Dan Hurley, I like Dave Borges.

But the article went on to quote how he (Billy) didnt help coach to win a title.

 

[HooperScooper]

I like Billy Donovan, I likee Dan Hurley, I like Dave Borges.

But the article went on to quote how he (Billy) didnt help coach to win a title.

Good point. Whoever at the Register comes up with the titles to Borges's articles needs to be fired.

 

[August_West]

Good point. Whoever at the Register comes up with the titles to Borges's articles needs to be fired.

 

[LIUCHusky]

"There were times he picked my brain on stuff, and quite honestly, I picked his brain on stuff," Donovan recalled. "Danny’s been around this game his entire life. He and I are very similar."

How NBA coach Billy Donovan helped UConn's Dan Hurley become national champion: 'He and I are very similar'

Dan Hurley has listed Billy Donovan as one of the coaches he's modeled himself after, and the two share plenty of similarities, including national titles.

www.nhregister.com

Alternate access:

How NBA coach Billy Donovan helped UConn's Dan Hurley become national champion: 'He and I are very similar'​

Dr. Roy Rotella I believe earned his doctorate degree from UConn.

 

[FriarJ]

I like Billy Donovan, I like Dan Hurley, I like Dave Borges.

But the article went on to quote how he (Billy) didnt help coach to win a title.

It's almost certainly referring to this.

Donovan directed Hurley to Dr. Bob Rotella, a noted sports psychologist who has helped golfers and many other athletes, as well as actors, CEO's, etc., over the years. Hurley devoured Rotella's books, including How Champions Think in Sports and in Life, listened to his podcasts and "just drew from anything I could read or listen to, and I'd pick Billy's brain about a lot of it."

It's a lasting effect on Hurley.

"It kind of got me onto this whole lifestyle that I live now – going to bed early, waking up early, meditation, prayer, exercise, diet, sleep, tracking, all this type of stuff," the UConn coach said.

 

[superjohn]

Great read, I've always liked Billy D.

 

[Umami Zen]

Dr. Roy Rotella I believe earned his doctorate degree from UConn.

Bob.. Correct on UConn

 

[August_West]

It’s almost too bad PC grad BillyD didn’t help his alma mater. Ed Cooley could’ve taken that to heart while PC fans were making fun of Hurley at URI. Ed busy banging coeds I guess.Even 9 months ago PC ( according to them ) had better when Ed was their coach. Ouch.

 

[Fishy]

I think we have reached the end of the national championship article fodder.

Next up: How Danny Hurley’s dental hygienist inspired UConn’s championship run.

 

[HuskyHawk]

It's almost certainly referring to this.

Donovan directed Hurley to Dr. Bob Rotella, a noted sports psychologist who has helped golfers and many other athletes, as well as actors, CEO's, etc., over the years. Hurley devoured Rotella's books, including How Champions Think in Sports and in Life, listened to his podcasts and "just drew from anything I could read or listen to, and I'd pick Billy's brain about a lot of it."

It's a lasting effect on Hurley.

"It kind of got me onto this whole lifestyle that I live now – going to bed early, waking up early, meditation, prayer, exercise, diet, sleep, tracking, all this type of stuff," the UConn coach said.

Somebody get that to the Celtics.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

It’s almost too bad PC grad BillyD didn’t help his alma mater. Ed Cooley could’ve taken that to heart while PC fans were making fun of Hurley at URI. Ed busy banging coeds I guess.Even 9 months ago PC ( according to them ) had better when Ed was their coach. Ouch.

Nine months ago? I'll wager that four months ago today (the last day of January 2023) nearly the entirety of the PC fan base felt they were better than us, both in the then current season and in the foreseeable future.

 

[August_West]

Nine months ago? I'll wager that four months ago today (the last day of January 2023) nearly the entirety of the PC fan base felt they were better than us, both in the then current season and in the foreseeable future.

I have early dementia. I’m bad at math. Thank you for accuracy.

 

[FlippinCrazy!]

Fun to see which coaches are friends. What are other big name coaches is Hurley connected to that you wouldn’t ordinarily expect?