UConn Huskies coach Dan Hurley recently revealed the career path he would’ve taken had he stepped down from his current role at the end of last season. An article by The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand talked about Hurley’s first book, titled “Never Stop: Life, Leadership, and What It Takes To Be Great,” which he co-authored with Ian O’Connor.
In the book, Hurley admitted to his struggles of being a head coach for 30 years. This urged him to contemplate potentially stepping down momentarily from his role. He even sought advice from former Villanova Wildcats coach and now basketball analyst Jay Wright.
“I thought about leaving. Taking a gap year. Resigning as head coach of the UConn Huskies. I even talked to a TV executive about doing some commentary. The previous summer, I talked to Jay Wright about life after basketball. He said he was actually happy, sleeping. He wasn’t sick to his stomach nine months of the year,” Hurley was quoted as saying.
Hurley’s first-ever book will be available at retail outlets such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble on Sept. 30. He is in the midst of his preparations for his eighth year of coaching the Huskies in the 2025-26 season.
Hurley is looking to get his team back to the college basketball mountaintop after they went on an inspiring run from 2023 to 2024, winning consecutive NCAA titles.
Read More: Dan Hurley Drops Intriguing Update on Alex Karaban as UConn Gears Up for 2025-26 Title Push
Dan Hurley’s New Book Details the Exact Moment He Started Contemplating the 2024-25 Season
The 2024-25 season was not the best for coach Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies.
Despite finishing with an overall record of 24-11 (14-6 Big East), they could not accomplish an illustrious national title three-peat. They were defeated by the eventual national champions, the Florida Gators, in the second round of the NCAA tournament, 77-75. Hurley opened up about the loss in his new book.
“I knew my mind, and I knew my body, and I could feel that I was completely cooked. Just burnt. I didn’t even know how I was standing. I stared at the office walls, muttering, conducting a brutal review of our season. I didn’t build a strong enough roster. I wasn’t a good leader. I let everyone down in Maui. I lost control, emotionally, at various points. I came in here some days sad and defeated, when I needed to be positive and inspiring,” Hurley shared.
“Then I went through the self-lacerating what-ifs: What if we’d played a little bit better in Maui? What if we hadn’t blown that game against Seton Hall? What if we’d been a better seed than an eight seed and hadn’t needed to face a number one in the second round? Who knows?” he added.
Hurley, as per The Athletic’s article, eventually decided to continue his run as one of the greatest Huskies coaches of all time.
Also Read: “When They Do A Shi**y Job, They Tell You”: Analyst Makes Feelings Very Clear On Dan Hurley’s UConn Roster Moves Following March Madness Disappointment
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