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UConn's Dan Hurley Reacts to Viral Video of Him Telling Ref He's CBB's 'Best Coach'

Mike Chiari

UConn head men's basketball coach Dan Hurley commented Tuesday after video of his animated discussion with a referee went viral on social media.

During the first half of the No. 19 Huskies' 80-78 overtime win against Butler, Hurley got heated with an official and appeared to say: "Don't turn your back on me, I'm the best coach in the f--king sport."

Hurley neither confirmed nor denied what he said, but he expressed his desire for the spotlight to be on other coaches at times and not just him, telling reporters:

"I just wish they put the camera on the other coach more. ... I just wish they would show these other coaches losing their minds at the officials in other Big East games that I'm coaching where ... I'm not talking to officials; I see the other coaches as demonstrative as I am. But the camera, obviously ... I've created this for myself. I'm not the victim."

Hurley also said he was trying to get more "communication" out of the officials during Tuesday's game.

The 52-year-old Hurley is in the midst of his seventh season at Connecticut, and he has already put himself in the discussion as the best coach in the history of the program.

Hurley has posted a 155-63 record with the Huskies, reaching the NCAA tournament four times and winning the national championship in each of the past two seasons.

Before arriving at UConn, Hurley also had success as the head coach at Wagner and Rhode Island, going a collective 151-105 with two trips to the NCAA tourney.

Hurley's two national titles are the second most by a head coach in UConn history behind only the three won by Jim Calhoun, although it took Calhoun 25 seasons to win his third.

Hurley was both the Big East Coach of the Year and Naismith Coach of the Year last season by virtue of going 37-3 and winning a second consecutive championship, so it is tough to argue against the notion that he is the best coach in college basketball right now.

The Los Angeles Lakers thought highly of Hurley, as they pursued him after firing head coach Darvin Ham. Hurley ultimately decided to return to UConn and pursue a three-peat, which led the Lakers to hire JJ Redick.

Stephon Castle, Donovan Clingan, Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer were all selected in the 2024 NBA draft, leaving Hurley with a much different team than the one he had the past two seasons.

Things haven't come as easily for the Huskies, which could partly explain his frustration with the officials, although Hurley has still managed to keep UConn in the top 25.

Since losing three games in a row early in the season, Connecticut is 10-2 over its past 12 contests, including victories over then-No. 15 Baylor and then-No. 8 Gonzaga.

Eight of UConn's past nine games have been decided by single digits as well, including a two-point loss to Villanova and a five-point loss to Creighton.

Hurley and the Huskies have a lot of work to do when it comes to reaching the NCAA tournament and winning a third straight title, but it cannot be denied that Hurley has helped UConn return to elite status among the college basketball powers.

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