Hurley's HOF Case

[Tenspro2002]

He could have up to 20 years left in his career, but what else would Hurley need to accomplish, if anything, to merit induction in the Hall of Fame?

A guy like Billy Donovan is a reasonable comp -- he won back to back championships fairly early in his college coaching career, but also was more accomplished before that. He also had a handful of Elite 8 appearances and one very notable Final Four appearance (at least to us) afterward. Donovan is considered a likely HOFer just based on his college coaching resume, ignoring his NBA record.

Another comp is Jay Wright -- he won 2 out of 3 and also a handful of second weekend appearances including two more Final Fours, while winning the Big East like 8 years out of 9. He is already in the Hall.

A 3rd championship at any time is slam-dunk sufficient, but not necessary, for Hurley's HOF case. He should also get there with another ~10 years that includes at least one more Final Four and 3-4 Sweet 16/Elite 8-type seasons while winning the conference a good portion of the time.

I'm not convinced that if he fell into the abyss tomorrow that what he's done so far is enough though, i.e. just on the basis of back-to-back championships.

 

[aburks41]

Back to back titles sealed the deal as long as he doesn't end his career with a string of multiple under .500 seasons.

If we three-peat, he is the greatest college coach of all time and it wouldn't be debatable in my eyes.

 

[Chin Diesel]

He's won back to back championships and both championships were dominating runs. He's already in.

 

[Supes]

What he's missing right now is the longevity. Right now he's at ~300 D1 wins. If he hits 600, he's a clear shoe-in. Hitting 500 in the next decade (so an average of ~20/year) would likely put him in.

Obviously another championship would do it too.

 

[husky429]

Unless thongs go disastroisly wrong the next 10 years he's a shoe-in.

 

[cullaville]

Unless thongs go disastroisly wrong the next 10 years he's a shoe-in.

shoo in

 

[UCTitleTown]

A lock. Nothing to discuss. Select company.

 

[Waquoit]

Back to back titles sealed the deal as long as he doesn't end his career with a string of multiple under .500 seasons.

Like Eli?

 

[storrsroars]

What he's missing right now is the longevity. Right now he's at ~300 D1 wins. If he hits 600, he's a clear shoe-in. Hitting 500 in the next decade (so an average of ~20/year) would likely put him in.

Obviously another championship would do it too.

While he could change his mind, I recall him saying multiple times he's only going until age 60-ish, so it's a tight window to get to 600, and more unlikely than not. So 500+ is the more reasonable goal. And pretty much the only way he falls out of the conversation is missing the tourney 8 or 9 times over the next decade. Also more unlikely than not.

 

[HooperScooper]

Unless thongs go disastroisly wrong the next 10 years he's a shoe-in.

So he's switching from the dragon underwear to thongs? TMI

 

[Dove]

So he's switching from the dragon underwear to thongs? TMI

 

[Samoo]

So he's switching from the dragon underwear to thongs? TMI

He swings, he connects, it's a drive to deep left field and it's out of here...

 

[Matrim55]

As long as he doesn't murder anyone he's in no matter what he does from here on out.

 

[Huskyforlife]

He's not in if he retired today, but he's not retiring today.

 

[87Xfer]

He's not in if he retired today, but he's not retiring today.

Actually, I think this is a more interesting question. The original q has so many future what-ifs.

But if he retired tomorrow? Would he? Should he?

 

[ConnHuskBask]

The basketball HoF seems like the broadest set of criteria that would allow someone to be inducted.

If you factor in his playing career, HS coaching career, then of course college, I think he's in.

 

[Scoe]

As long as he doesn't murder anyone he's in no matter what he does from here on out.

Unless he does it after he’s in the HOF, but if the glove don’t fit then you must acquit.

 

[Tampahusky]

He’s already a hall of famer… basketball is the easiest to get in .

 

[husky99]

Please. Let him win 2 more titles at uconn and one at PC because he lost a bet with his brother

 

[uconnblueinky]

I think the back to back championships almost seals the deal for him getting in but if he wins a few close games he's a lock !!

 

[jibsey]

He wouldn’t need to win more titles but he’s a young guy with a lot of drive, so there’s no need to worry about it or even discuss it at this point.

 

[Huskybass]

Hurley has so much left to accomplish. He us going to leave quite a legacy. Excellence is his standard.

 

[MrJama100]

Lock. Unless he decides to quit coaching tomorrow. Seriously. Even if he has 10 sub-500 years he's still a lock. Coach just 5 more years he's in, no matter what the record. He may be in now.

 

[CL82]

He's not in if he retired today, but he's not retiring today.

Actually, I think he might be just under that hypothetical because the narrative would be ending with back to back double digit championships the second by the whitest margin of victories ever. That's one hell of a story.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Actually, I think he might be just under that hypothetical because the narrative would be ending with back to back double digit championships the second by the whitest margin of victories ever. That's one hell of a story.

Three white starters is the "whitest" margin???

Didn't even know that was a thing.

And why is it "one hell of a story"?

 

[Scoe]

So to answer the OP question. If Hurley were to not coach another game it’s a slam dunk he gets in, it’s Springfield where very good gets you in.

The Hurley name itself holds a lot of weight and his life story appeals to a lot people even ones who hate Hurley. Turning UConn back into a power winning back to back championships and winning tournament games at URI, safe to say he’s already a shoe in.

 

[imno1]

He’ll need to show he can win a close one first

 

[CL82]

Three white starters is the "whitest" margin???

Didn't even know that was a thing.

And why is it "one hell of a story"?

It's not their ethnicity, it's their actual complexions. Donovan? Has he ever been to the beach? Cam is pretty fair skinned, but Karaban would effectively be invisible in a snowstorm. And if we start talking about the bench, honestly, Drew Hurley looks like he needs a blood transfusion.

 

[Palatine]

A threepeat would make his section a formality.

 

[MexicoHusky]

HOF... well, that happened fast. I guess that happens when you win back-to-back