Dan Hurley feels emotional as his squad has one game left.
The normally aggressive UConn men’s basketball coach said that he has been experiencing a moment of calm before games following his team’s victory against Miami in the national semifinal on Saturday night.
He exudes confidence in his group and exudes serenity. He is also relishing the Huskies’ journey as they stand one victory from an NCAA championship.
Hurley stated outside the locker room after the 72-59 victory over Miami, “I’ve wept a lot. “Just tears of pure delight, just being moved when you think about your squad and your staff,”
Once he stalled, he started talking about Andre Jackson’s playoff interview from after Gonzaga’s victory against him in the Final Eight. Jackson praised each player for their contribution as he named one teammate after another.
Hurley remarked, “He boosted everybody on the squad except (Andre Jackson).”
Hurley sees Jackson as the embodiment of the program’s purported culture and identity because of his concern with the team and winning. Hurley frequently utilises these terms, which are difficult to describe but simple to spot when they are effective.
Greats from the programme have provided assistance along the road. Jim Calhoun, a former coach, has addressed the group. The team’s first champion, Richard Hamilton, also visited with the players.
At the game on Saturday were Hamilton, Ray Allen, Kemba Walker, and Emeka Okafor.
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Hurley asserted, “I believe you start believing in that UConn magic when you play or coach here. “A portion of that custom. Clearly, the motivational speech given by Coach Calhoun the other day. Being around Rip simply instills a lot of confidence in our boys.
Hurley was in his second season at Rhode Island when UConn won their most recent championship in 2014. He spent two seasons at Wagner before moving to URI in 2012.
He taught history and coached basketball for St. Benedict’s Academy in Newark for ten years before that.
Hurley so served as a high school coach only 13 years ago.
He might achieve the summit of his job on Monday night.
Hurley declared, “I’m proud of the voyage. At every level, I had to earn it, and I’m proud of that. My time in high school was amazing. In high school, I wasn’t a very effective coach. High school coaches include some of the greatest in the business. Throughout high school, I gained a lot of coaching knowledge. High school athletes are coached by some of the top coaches in the world.
“I’m happy that I’ve accomplished it at every level previously. I’ve never received a job as a present. Before I was able to advance to the next rung on the ladder, I had to earn every job.
Hurley stated last week that coaching high school students, teaching history, and reporting for homeroom were all great training opportunities for him. He said that the high school level was where the culture he speaks about was fostered.
He sees everything he strives to incorporate in a squad and staff come to life when he looks at this team this season.
Hurley said, “This group as a whole is wonderful. The staff, who obviously has these individuals well-prepared, has the personalities. We play harder than our opponents and defend, rebound, and play high-level offence. When you combine this level of talent with the persona these people have bought into, you can no longer achieve this level of success.
By defeating San Diego State on Monday, UConn will be able to capture its sixth NCAA championship. Clearly, the Huskies are the front-runners.
Hurley has been joking around and seeming at ease all week. That is as a result of the team he is managing.
It’s special and emotional for me. Hurley remarked.