A look at whether UConn Basketball Coach Dan Hurley's antics, are warranted or not

Dan Hurley has made his way into the news cycles, not due to his coaching prowess but his words towards an official. At the end of the first half, Hurley thought there was a missed foul call on a rebound, and he went at an official. His quote has now been heard around the world of College Basketball, “Don’t turn your back on me, I’m the best coach in the F—ing sport.” 

He also requested that the cameras focus more on other coaches, as they are also quite demonstrative. However, Hurley has to realize that he takes it to a whole different level than someone like Thad Matta, against whom this game was played, or other Big East coaches he will face. 

This obviously caused a lot of controversy, criticism, and opinions on using that phrase to demand attention. What was intriguing about the dialogue was that nobody on the planet was questioning whether he was correct or not, but did he go too far? 

One thing about college basketball head coaches is that they will always be on the sidelines complaining about calls. If a foul is called on their team, cameras often immediately pan to a head coach looking frustrated at the result. But for Hurley, this is his calling card and what he is known for.

Winning two National Championships will give anybody an ego, especially someone who was already as abrasive but also passionate on the sidelines such as Hurley. This self-confidence is earned, he has reached the mountaintop two years in a row, and during those runs his face was beat red after most fouls and the officials knew it was time to get chewed out.

But this is a different year for UConn, and Hurley's antics have changed from years past. Maui was a huge moment of trouble for him, three straight losses were highlighted by antics, ejection moments, and losses that can be attributed to his technical fouls. While he may have been correct about the calls themselves, it is never a good look in a loss. 

Rumors swirled of Hurley being told to relax on the sideline rants, but he either did not listen or it clearly was not the case based on the Butler game. Hurley fully understands the type of attention his coaching stay brings, “I’m not the victim,” Hurley said. He knows it is the style he brings to the table, and like many coaches in the sport's history, he has no issue being unapologetically himself. 

UConn has not necessarily been a failure this season, but the three losses in Maui followed by a couple of bad losses and too many close games than a Huskies fan would like can boil things a bit. This does not just apply to the fan base, but the whole program as well. So one had to expect that the sideline antics would be a bit ramped up when the blowouts are less frequent, every call and every possession has started to matter a lot more for this team. 

With all that being said, should Hurley tone it down? While some may call it classless, rude, annoying, or any other word in the book, one fact will always be true, it works. What truly matters is wins and losses, and Hurley has used this same style of coaching to win two National Championships, which not many coaches have done. If this is what gets his players to play with maximum effort every single possession, then he should yell at his heart’s desire. 

Obviously, never get violent, personal, or force technical fouls to be called in key moments like the Memphis game, but light that fire under your players. Complaining gets you zero calls, it may even make officials less inclined to give you certain foul calls here and there, but in the long run, being passionate leads to winning. Hurley has also always owned up to his personality and may have just become the villain college basketball needs.

If someone is willing to take the heat that their personality and actions bring, then let them. Just look at Bob Knight’s three National Championships, and Hurley has not gone nearly to the level he has when it comes to this. It all comes down to what would you rather have, class, or winning? Hurley and most others would take the latter 100 times out of 100.