Please, stop the “FIRE HURLEY!” nonsense and let’s discuss realistic improvements for next season. | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Please, stop the “FIRE HURLEY!” nonsense and let’s discuss realistic improvements for next season.

Horatio said:
Hate to say it but the changes that are needed most likely will involve the forbidden word that can not be said…. So don’t say it. That along with bringing in a couple of veteran guards.
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we still have 2 open schollies for next year so i'll say this: as long as the 3 rising seniors dont wanna stick around as super seniors, then i dont think the forbidden word will be invoked
 
uconnflyer88 said:
Just look at Chris Beard (Texas) took over a team that hadn’t sniffed the second game of NCAA since 2014….and now they’re blowing out the ACC champion….the people that say we need to give Hurley 6-8 years need to wake up
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The "ACC champion" was a bubble team that got hot in the conference tourney in a very down ACC. Gtown was the Big East champion last year. It's great that he won but let's not pretend they beat some juggernaut.
 
860-Pride said:
There are few absolutes in life, but here’s one:

Dan Hurley isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon.

I cannot for the life of me take anyone seriously who genuinely thinks Dan Hurley will get fired at this point in history. Whether or not you think Hurley should be fired because you - like literally every other UConn fan - are upset about yesterday’s upset loss, there is absolutely a 0% chance that anyone in the UConn Athletic Department is even considering terminating Dan Hurley’s contract.

1) He has taken a program from the bottom of a mid-major conference that prayed to make the NIT to the top (yes, third place is towards the top) of a P6 that comfortably lands in the NCAAT. In four years. On this day three years ago Hurley had finished year one at UConn with an improved record and performance in the conference tournament than the previous season. Year two would’ve been UConn’s first postseason in three years had COVID not interrupted. Year three saw a top-40 program finish third in the Big East with a tough BE semifinal loss to the runner-up, followed by the schools first NCAAT appearance in years. Year four produced a top-20 BE contender that knocked off multiple top-10 teams before losing to eventual conference champs in New York, with another NCAAT appearance. Notice the trend? Every season has been an objective improvement. So, what grounds would the AD reasonably have to fire Hurley if he wanted to?

2) UConn is broke, yo. Even if Hurley was reasonably underperforming the school couldn’t afford a buyout. He’s locked in through 2027.

3) Who would replace him? A new coach with a new system, which inevitably takes years to install like it does at any program? And then after his fourth season when we probably don’t win a natty we’ll be screaming “FIRE HIM!” like cavemen all over again?

There’s no argument to fire Hurley, so let’s stop talking about it. He’s imperfect, he annoys me too, but he’s our guy for the foreseeable future so let’s discuss areas in which UConn can realistically continue to improve.

Also Dan Hurley is not Jim Calhoun. They’re literally two different humans with different DNA and . Stop comparing them.
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Can we stop trashing Ollie as a justification for whatever Hurley has done?

OLLIE WON A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. Hurley has not won an NCAA tournament game yet at UConn. See the difference?
 
My opinion is Hurley should get until he has 100% his recruits that were recruited after the ship had been righted. If at that point he still hasn’t made a sweet 16 or elite 8 I think it’s time to start wondering if he’s the right person for the job.

I’m extremely frustrated with this result, and I think better coaching would have this team easily in the next round. But I think Hurley gets more time to show that he can learn and grow. Hopefully Calhoun gets in his ear.

I’m hopeful that recruits like Karaban will get us past the point of having a bunch of athletes that can’t shoot. Getting Griffiths is critical too. Hopefully Hurley sees Villanova and sees how Wright constructs his roster. You can’t have 3 guys on the court that can’t shoot in today’s game.
 
Until the team stops improving from one year to the next, it’s beyond silly to talk about the hot seat. Thankfully there’s no chance anybody anywhere even close to being part of the decision making process is thinking that way, it’s just some vocal crazies
 
1) Get rid of the weave. Forever. It should never be discussed again

2) need to add more spacing especially if Jackson and sanogo are starters

3) need to adjust to the talent of the players on the floor. Not slamming square pegs into round holes
 
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Greedo said:
Hopefully Hurley sees Villanova and sees how Wright constructs his roster.
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sees nova, sees how wright constructs his roster, and does the opposite lol

we were nova's polar opposite this year: good defense, good rebounding, bad offense, bad shooting, stupid turnovers, end of game choke artists.
 
860-Pride said:
There are few absolutes in life, but here’s one:

Dan Hurley isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon.

I cannot for the life of me take anyone seriously who genuinely thinks Dan Hurley will get fired at this point in history. Whether or not you think Hurley should be fired because you - like literally every other UConn fan - are upset about yesterday’s upset loss, there is absolutely a 0% chance that anyone in the UConn Athletic Department is even considering terminating Dan Hurley’s contract.

1) He has taken a program from the bottom of a mid-major conference that prayed to make the NIT to the top (yes, third place is towards the top) of a P6 that comfortably lands in the NCAAT. In four years. On this day three years ago Hurley had finished year one at UConn with an improved record and performance in the conference tournament than the previous season. Year two would’ve been UConn’s first postseason in three years had COVID not interrupted. Year three saw a top-40 program finish third in the Big East with a tough BE semifinal loss to the runner-up, followed by the schools first NCAAT appearance in years. Year four produced a top-20 BE contender that knocked off multiple top-10 teams before losing to eventual conference champs in New York, with another NCAAT appearance. Notice the trend? Every season has been an objective improvement. So, what grounds would the AD reasonably have to fire Hurley if he wanted to?

2) UConn is broke, yo. Even if Hurley was reasonably underperforming the school couldn’t afford a buyout. He’s locked in through 2027.

3) Who would replace him? A new coach with a new system, which inevitably takes years to install like it does at any program? And then after his fourth season when we probably don’t win a natty we’ll be screaming “FIRE HIM!” like cavemen all over again?

There’s no argument to fire Hurley, so let’s stop talking about it. He’s imperfect, he annoys me too, but he’s our guy for the foreseeable future so let’s discuss areas in which UConn can realistically continue to improve.

Also Dan Hurley is not Jim Calhoun. They’re literally two different humans with different DNA and . Stop comparing them.
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I dont mean to be rude or disrespectful to anyone but those calling for him to be fired are morons. He does not deserve to be fired. I dont even think hes on the hot seat. Yet.
 
As others have pointed out, Hurley is not firable. UConn just stroked a $10 million check for a coach they fired 4 years ago. UConn is not paying another coach not to coach. So these Hurley threads are not about whether Hurley will be fired or not, they are about how we will feel about him being fired or not.
 
superjohn said:
Jay Wright was in the sweet 16 his fourth year and the elite 8 his fifth year. Scott Drew was taking over arguably the worst major program in D1 who had their previous coach cover up a murder of a player by another player.

None of these comparisons are good for Hurley.
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For context in defense of Hurley:

Wright took over a Villanova program that was coming off three straight post season appearances (NCAA, NIT, NIT), then made the NIT himself the next three seasons before finally making the Sweet 16 in year four.

So he took over a program in a power conference, that was in better shape competitively, and it took him four years to even make the NCAAs.

What does it mean? Not much as most of these comparisons lack any context.
 
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The "improvements" are filling the same holes we had this time last year. Coach just needs to swallow his pride and get some guys who are ready now.
 
Kimani seems to be in touch with the way to strategize and use players effectively. Kenny Smith tooted Kimani’s horn last night for no apparent reason. He pointed out that Kimani beat Nova, not Hurley. If I’m DB, I’m talking to Kimani over lunch next week. Not sure I need to fire anyone, but I need to keep certain people engaged just in case. Certain people might also need an oddly large pay raise as a hedge.
 
Hoophound said:
Kimani seems to be in touch with the way to strategize and use players effectively. Kenny Smith tooted Kimani’s horn last night for no apparent reason. He pointed out that Kimani beat Nova, not Hurley. If I’m DB, I’m talking to Kimani over lunch next week. Not sure I need to fire anyone, but I need to keep certain people engaged just in case. Certain people might also need an oddly large pay raise as a hedge.
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this is so stupid
 
I have not seen one comment saying to fire him. FOUR YEARS!!! In hoops that is an eternity. Let's not make that sound so incredible. Teams turn around overnight in hoops. Literally takes one real good class. He has underachieved in the post season...period!!!
 
Funny someone came up with this thread when I don’t think anyone said Fire Hurley?? Once again how dare anyone point out the facts and discuss the pattern thus far. It needs to get better, let’s see when it’s all “his guys” because first round losses won’t be working for many fans much longer.
 
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860-Pride said:
There are few absolutes in life, but here’s one:

Dan Hurley isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon.

I cannot for the life of me take anyone seriously who genuinely thinks Dan Hurley will get fired at this point in history. Whether or not you think Hurley should be fired because you - like literally every other UConn fan - are upset about yesterday’s upset loss, there is absolutely a 0% chance that anyone in the UConn Athletic Department is even considering terminating Dan Hurley’s contract.

1) He has taken a program from the bottom of a mid-major conference that prayed to make the NIT to the top (yes, third place is towards the top) of a P6 that comfortably lands in the NCAAT. In four years. On this day three years ago Hurley had finished year one at UConn with an improved record and performance in the conference tournament than the previous season. Year two would’ve been UConn’s first postseason in three years had COVID not interrupted. Year three saw a top-40 program finish third in the Big East with a tough BE semifinal loss to the runner-up, followed by the schools first NCAAT appearance in years. Year four produced a top-20 BE contender that knocked off multiple top-10 teams before losing to eventual conference champs in New York, with another NCAAT appearance. Notice the trend? Every season has been an objective improvement. So, what grounds would the AD reasonably have to fire Hurley if he wanted to?

2) UConn is broke, yo. Even if Hurley was reasonably underperforming the school couldn’t afford a buyout. He’s locked in through 2027.

3) Who would replace him? A new coach with a new system, which inevitably takes years to install like it does at any program? And then after his fourth season when we probably don’t win a natty we’ll be screaming “FIRE HIM!” like cavemen all over again?

There’s no argument to fire Hurley, so let’s stop talking about it. He’s imperfect, he annoys me too, but he’s our guy for the foreseeable future so let’s discuss areas in which UConn can realistically continue to improve.

Also Dan Hurley is not Jim Calhoun. They’re literally two different humans with different DNA and . Stop comparing them.
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Dan Hurley criticisms should be directed at the makeup of the team. Which has been discussed adnauseam. We can't have another season with only 1 point guard Dan Hurley is willing to play. If this happens again then I'd entertain some very serious Dan Hurley criticism. Maybe even entertain the idea of letting Dan Hurley go. This doesn't mean Dan Hurley can be fired. We can only afford so many buyouts.

The New Mexico St loss stings, but it's also a bit irrelevant to me. I'd be impressed if any coach could win a tournament game with one pg. Again, the mistakes were made last offseason.
 
Ratso said:
and remember how many years it took jay wright and scott drew.
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Seriously comparing the competition in the Old Big East to this year is crazy.
Wright had some tough competition that gave no quater in that huge league which skewed his record
Jim Calhoun in conference record :
7-13 2009 -2010
9-9 2010-2011. Yet won the Big East tourney and NC
8-12 201-2012
. You could finish 9th and win a NC.
Those years besides a HOF coach we had multiple NBA players on those rosters. and a bunch of guys drafted. That league was a meat grinder.
Nova immediately went to top dog and have stayed there partly because of Wrights maturity but the lesser competition helped his teams develop plus get better seeds.
 
Hoophound said:
Kimani seems to be in touch with the way to strategize and use players effectively. Kenny Smith tooted Kimani’s horn last night for no apparent reason. He pointed out that Kimani beat Nova, not Hurley. If I’m DB, I’m talking to Kimani over lunch next week. Not sure I need to fire anyone, but I need to keep certain people engaged just in case. Certain people might also need an oddly large pay raise as a hedge.
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There was a time where Kevin Ollie got a lot of praise from people all over the NBA. There was also a time the KO was the hottest young coach in the game. It amazes me how sold people are on Kimani. None of you know if hes got the goods and none of us know if he dont either. The road to college basketball coaching glory is littered with with guys who had all the praise in the world until they got the job. Im fine with Hurley for now. I do think he is a weak Xs and Os guy but hes showing to be a good recruiter and hopefully he`ll get better with experience.
 
TheChamps990411 said:
There was a time where Kevin Ollie got a lot of praise from people all over the NBA. There was also a time the KO was the hottest young coach in the game. It amazes me how sold people are on Kimani. None of you know if hes got the goods and none of us know if he dont either. The road to college basketball coaching glory is littered with with guys who had all the praise in the world until they got the job.
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This ^^^

It’s the same phenomenon that has ppl convinced Diggins would’ve been a first team all American if only Hurley would play him.
 
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TheChamps990411 said:
There was a time where Kevin Ollie got a lot of praise from people all over the NBA. There was also a time the KO was the hottest young coach in the game. It amazes me how sold people are on Kimani. None of you know if hes got the goods and none of us know if he dont either. The road to college basketball coaching glory is littered with with guys who had all the praise in the world until they got the job. Im fine with Hurley for now. I do think he is a weak Xs and Os guy but hes showing to be a good recruiter and hopefully he`ll get better with experience.
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I’m not at all sold on Kimani. However, I’d definitely try to get a feel for what he knows and what he thinks he can offer in terms of Xs and Os and in game strategy. If there is more ability there, you want to try and make sure Hurley taps it. As many have said, Hurley clearly needs a mentor that really knows the game. After watching Kimani maneuver so effectively against Jay Wright, you have to wonder what’s there to work with.
 
Hoophound said:
I’m not at all sold on Kimani. However, I’d definitely try to get a feel for what he knows and what he thinks he can offer in terms of Xs and Os and in game strategy. If there is more ability there, you want to try and make sure Hurley taps it. As many have said, Hurley clearly needs a mentor that really knows the game. After watching Kimani maneuver so effectively against Jay Wright, you have to wonder what’s there to work with.
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A mentor is typically someone with more experience, not less.
 
It seems to me that it has clearly been an X’s and O’s issue with the team and I think many can agree with that. It’s been stated numerous times on this board that Hurley isn’t the greatest in-game coach - and maybe that is accurate. However, where Hurley lacks in in-game coaching he seems to have made up for in motivating players, recruiting and getting UConn back into the top 25 - all of which are critically important to our success - especially given where the program was only a few years ago.

A topic I don’t have much knowledge on is in regards to other head coaches in college basketball and their in-game coaching abilities. How many HC’s depend on their Assistant Coaches for in-game strategy? Look at football - you have OC/DCs calling plays, not necessarily the Head Coach. Is college basketball similar? Didn’t Calhoun lean on Blaney a lot? I know the buck stops with Hurley and it’s on him to hire his assistants - but I think how he utilizes his assistant coaches will have a lot to do with how this program moves forward.

Hurley seems to have the leadership qualities needed for a HC which is as equally important to Xs and Os in my mind. A lot of coaches have the ability to coach basketball but can’t recruit or motivate players. Hurley is still young and still learning. I’m sure he is equally upset as us fans with how the NMSU game went. He will use it as a learning experience.

I’m optimistic about the future. He definitely has developed players, recruited some great talent, and has us competitive in the Big East. I think the next step is figuring out how to be a better in game coach. It takes situations like the NMSU game and last weeks Villanova game to build character. He strikes me as the type of guy that won’t let these games define him.
 
nelsonmuntz said:
Can we stop trashing Ollie as a justification for whatever Hurley has done?

OLLIE WON A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. Hurley has not won an NCAA tournament game yet at UConn. See the difference?
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With a JC team. KO and his teams tanked after that season.....
 
Hoophound said:
I’m not at all sold on Kimani. However, I’d definitely try to get a feel for what he knows and what he thinks he can offer in terms of Xs and Os and in game strategy. If there is more ability there, you want to try and make sure Hurley taps it. As many have said, Hurley clearly needs a mentor that really knows the game. After watching Kimani maneuver so effectively against Jay Wright, you have to wonder what’s there to work with.
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Do you think Kimani has sat in complete silence for the last 4 years while watching video and game planning for opponents? I can't imagine he's so shy that he hasn't offered up his ideas on what could work
 
BPT2Storrs said:
It seems to me that it has clearly been an X’s and O’s issue with the team and I think many can agree with that. It’s been stated numerous times on this board that Hurley isn’t the greatest in-game coach - and maybe that is accurate. However, where Hurley lacks in in-game coaching he seems to have made up for in motivating players, recruiting and getting UConn back into the top 25 - all of which are critically important to our success - especially given where the program was only a few years ago.

A topic I don’t have much knowledge on is in regards to other head coaches in college basketball and their in-game coaching abilities. How many HC’s depend on their Assistant Coaches for in-game strategy? Look at football - you have OC/DCs calling plays, not necessarily the Head Coach. Is college basketball similar? Didn’t Calhoun lean on Blaney a lot? I know the buck stops with Hurley and it’s on him to hire his assistants - but I think how he utilizes his assistant coaches will have a lot to do with how this program moves forward.

Hurley seems to have the leadership qualities needed for a HC which is as equally important to Xs and Os in my mind. A lot of coaches have the ability to coach basketball but can’t recruit or motivate players. Hurley is still young and still learning. I’m sure he is equally upset as us fans with how the NMSU game went. He will use it as a learning experience.

I’m optimistic about the future. He definitely has developed players, recruited some great talent, and has us competitive in the Big East. I think the next step is figuring out how to be a better in game coach. It takes situations like the NMSU game and last weeks Villanova game to build character. He strikes me as the type of guy that won’t let these games define him.
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I disagree it’s an X and O issue.

It seemed all mental with this team. They disappear in the big moments.

Our offense actually looked very good all year. Something Hurley really improved over his first few seasons here.

We were first or second in the BE in PPG.

All season, Dan Hurley designed an offense that had tons of open looks for guys, they just failed to make the good shots when it counted.

How may easy layups did we miss vs Nova and NM? How many wide open 3s that weren’t even close?

Either that’s a talent issue (I don’t think as much, but we can us more pure shooters) or a mental issue (I’ve been saying this all year).

You could watch it all season in big spots. This team always tightened up. He needs to figure out how to keep the team loose in big spots.
 
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