Hurley Observation

[BFieldHusky]

I was just re-watching the Illinois game from the Final 4. In the handshake line at the end of the game, Hurley and Wagler (star Illinois PG) meet, and Wagler is visibly upset and has a towel over his head. Hurley hugs him, the two have a moment, and kind words are exchanged.

It's a shame that the media only focus on the ref confrontations, the weird looks that turn into memes, and just his overall sideline antics. The guy is the best coach in the game. Period. And I think part of the reason is you see this from him a lot after games. He constantly is try to uplift or congratulate opposing players. Even after the Michigan game while he and the staff/team waited patiently.

You think Rick Pitino is doing that? Guy barely walks through a handshake line with the coaches. It's pathetic.

 

[KillaCam]

I was just re-watching the Illinois game from the Final 4. In the handshake line at the end of the game, Hurley and Wagler (star Illinois PG) meet, and Wagler is visibly upset and has a towel over his head. Hurley hugs him, the two have a moment, and kind words are exchanged.

It's a shame that the media only focus on the ref confrontations, the weird looks that turn into memes, and just his overall sideline antics. The guy is the best coach in the game. Period. And I think part of the reason is you see this from him a lot after games. He constantly is try to uplift or congratulate opposing players. Even after the Michigan game while he and the staff/team waited patiently.

You think Rick Pitino is doing that? Guy barely walks through a handshake line with the coaches. It's pathetic.

Glad you raised those points! Danny is a good guy who deeply cares. He has his quirks just as any of us and unfortunately those sell the clicks and advertisements. I notice the same about him. During some of the conferences he often seeks closeness with his players. I bet if he could he would hug them haha I love it and if my kid was good enough I would want nothing else than a coach who cares so deeply! We are so lucky to have someone who combines unmatched competitiveness, grit with hard, hard work and has big heart for those around him.

 

[UC0NN]

Danny does this all the time. During the post game press conference, he always says kind things about the other team.

As Calhoun said in his hall of fame speech "It simply asks you to play, to compete, to lose with dignity, to win with humility, to make your teammates look good, and to respect your opponent."

 

[REB1094]

Hurley loves basketball. Wagler is an absolute hooper. Dan knows the feelings Keaton is going through, and knows he’s going to make a LOT of money playing if he keeps on the right track

I’m glad Hurley can connect with other players and give them wisdom!

 

[RuffRuff]

Hurley is the best - he went up to Mara after we lost and offered his congrats. It's why his kids love him. I personally think he's brilliant, and part of the theatrics are intentional as he knows it brings a personality to the sport that anyone will find entertaining, whether they like it or not.

 

[brihman]

I was just re-watching the Illinois game from the Final 4. In the handshake line at the end of the game, Hurley and Wagler (star Illinois PG) meet, and Wagler is visibly upset and has a towel over his head. Hurley hugs him, the two have a moment, and kind words are exchanged.

It's a shame that the media only focus on the ref confrontations, the weird looks that turn into memes, and just his overall sideline antics. The guy is the best coach in the game. Period. And I think part of the reason is you see this from him a lot after games. He constantly is try to uplift or congratulate opposing players. Even after the Michigan game while he and the staff/team waited patiently.

You think Rick Pitino is doing that? Guy barely walks through a handshake line with the coaches. It's pathetic.

He does that often in the postgame handshake line. He always has a nice exchange with Floyd each year.

 

[gsmooth]

Hurley is the best - he went up to Mara after we lost and offered his congrats. It's why his kids love him. I personally think he's brilliant, and part of the theatrics are intentional as he knows it brings a personality to the sport that anyone will find entertaining, whether they like it or not.

Some of the theatrics are might be with the intention of keeping the attention off of his players.

 

[TheShot1990]

He doesn’t throw bottles at his fans, he doesn’t have inappropriate relationships, he doesn’t blame his own players and throw them under the bus when they fail, he just makes faces and yells at crooked, biased referees.

And he’s always the first one to commend the opposing team.

 

[Vuce]

I think real dawgs want to play for him. They see a guy that is super intense and connects with his players. Many fans just focus on the antics and can’t get past that. He’s an awesome coach, he’s made for UConn and we’re lucky to have him

 

[Woodson]

Also doesn’t get enough credit for not getting T’ed up once during the Mich game lol

 

[Jaydumo20]

It's crazy because he's a fan of these kids too. He's a fan of college basketball. Sean Miller is like that too.

Either way, we have one of the greatest motivators and role models in college sports history. When all is said and done, he will be remembered among the elite college coaches in any sport, any era.

 

[RuffRuff]

It's crazy because he's a fan of these kids too. He's a fan of college basketball. Sean Miller is like that too.

Either way, we have one of the greatest motivators and role models in college sports history. When all is said and done, he will be remembered among the elite college coaches in any sport, any era.

With one of the best biographies ever.

 

[cullaville]

He called a timeout against Seton Hall late in a game specifically so that two Seton Hall seniors could get into the game. I believe it was the last game om of the 25 regular season. If i remember correctly both players scored their only points of the season, possibly career.

Classy move

 

[DRBackup]

I was just re-watching the Illinois game from the Final 4. In the handshake line at the end of the game, Hurley and Wagler (star Illinois PG) meet, and Wagler is visibly upset and has a towel over his head. Hurley hugs him, the two have a moment, and kind words are exchanged.

It's a shame that the media only focus on the ref confrontations, the weird looks that turn into memes, and just his overall sideline antics. The guy is the best coach in the game. Period. And I think part of the reason is you see this from him a lot after games. He constantly is try to uplift or congratulate opposing players. Even after the Michigan game while he and the staff/team waited patiently.

You think Rick Pitino is doing that? Guy barely walks through a handshake line with the coaches. It's pathetic.

Same thing after our first round game in the BET. Because I know Hurley does this, I really wanted them to show the handshake line because Tre Carroll was clearly very emotional at the end of his college career. Seemed like they were going to go to commercial before that, but just caught him embracing Carroll exactly the way you describe for Wagler.

If it's possible for people to under appreciate Hurley, this is how.

 

[Leebo]

This is why you just have to shrug when opposing fans act like he's the worst human being on the planet. They are just not aware of the entire picture.

 

[djct1999]

Danny is nothing like the way he is portrayed. Most people know he is a great guy. Intense, sure. But he is also extremely loyal and would do anything he could to help a lot of people.

 

[Improviser]

Some of the theatrics are might be with the intention of keeping the attention off of his players.

Al McGuire, coach for Marquette some years ago, used to do that. Let the crowd jeer him on the road, and took the pressure off his team.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Al McGuire, coach for Marquette some years ago, used to do that. Let the crowd jeer him on the road, and took the pressure off his team.

Yeah, but Al famously almost got into a fist fight with one of his own players in the locker room at halftime.

Danny also had an exceptionally long discussion with Corey Floyd Jr after one of our games with PC. He does truly care about the kids (and not just his own).

 

[homunculus]

This is why you just have to shrug when opposing fans act like he's the worst human being on the planet. They are just not aware of the entire picture.

That drives me nuts. I get that people are going to “hate” us to some degree because of success, but this pervasive notion that Hurley is some sort of evil abusive psychopath would take literal seconds of curiosity and awareness to dispel. I guess people want a villain. It’s a shame because he’s great.

 

[QuickDraw]

the media is gonna do what it does & reality has nothing to do with narrative.

 

[Umami Zen]

Dan is passionate about his craft-his team-coaches/staff-Family. Old school perspective of respecting the participants in the competitive arena-before and after the contest. If you share his passion and energy- he respects you. Win or lose. Stand- up guy.