Shannon Sharpe did not hold back in assessing UConn head coach Dan Hurley’s emotional outburst after the Huskies were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament.
Sharpe, speaking on “Nightcap with Chad Johnson,” criticized Hurley for his emotional remarks following the Huskies’ 77-75 loss to Florida in the NCAA Tournament’s second round on March 23, 2025.
Shannon Sharpe Sounds Off On Dan Hurley
As Hurley walked off the court, he was heard addressing the Baylor players—who were set to face Duke next—saying, “I hope they don’t f— you like they f—ed us. I hope they don’t do that to you, Baylor.”
“[Dan Hurley] is the main character in college basketball.”
—@RealJayWilliams reacts to UConn head coach Dan Hurley’s comments after yesterday’s loss to Florida 👀 pic.twitter.com/vkeeQglwbA
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 24, 2025
The comment, caught on camera, sparked backlash. Hurley later apologized, calling it a “heat-of-the-moment” mistake. He praised the officiating crew and credited Florida for their performance. But Sharpe was unmoved.
“You’re the CEO of UConn,” Sharpe said. “That seven, eight million dollars that he collected a year…don’t mess your money up.”
ESPN’s Jay Williams also criticized Hurley, calling him a “sore loser,” and said that while the coach’s fire is part of what makes him successful, moments like this hurt his image.
Dan Hurley Not the Only One Facing Backlash
Dan Hurley was not the only one under fire. UConn’s communications director, Bobby Mullen, confronted reporter Joey Ellis for posting the video.
Mullen allegedly threatened Ellis’s career if the video was not removed. A UConn staff member later apologized for his actions, and the reporter accepted the apology.
The fallout overshadowed what had been a strong season for UConn. Hurley led the Huskies to back-to-back national titles in 2023 and 2024 and entered this year’s tournament as one of the favorites.
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The loss to Alabama ended their three-peat hopes, and Hurley’s postgame comments quickly became the headline.
Hurley, who signed a six-year, $32.1 million extension in 2023, is among the highest-paid coaches in college basketball.
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