Dan Hurley, fresh off a close loss to Florida, took an opportunity to vent about the media, airing out recent grievances about coverage.
Dan Hurley Fumes, Lashed Out at Media
Somewhere, legendary children’s author Judith Viorst can relate to the UConn men’s head basketball coach. Basically, Hurley suffered a “terrible, horrible, very bad, no-good day.” His Huskies suffered a close, two-point loss to Florida.
Already in the foulest of moods, as evidenced by repeated outbursts, the Connecticut coach took to the podium. While his advice and tantrum-riddle advice to Baylor seemed overboard, Hurley did manage to craft an astute talking point in the midst of his frustration.
The two-time NCAA champion showed the local media a measure of gratitude for fair and honest coverage. At the same time, he decided to take not-so-veiled jabs at national media. He praised writers like David Borges of the Hartford Courant, the largest newspaper in Connecticut, dating back to 1764. Hurley mentioned one particular media by name.
“And not the national talking heads, Skip Bayless wannabe’s, and you never will be,” Hurley said.
“JJ Redick is more qualified to coach in the NBA than Dan Hurley is.”
— @RealSkipBayless on the Lakers coaching vacancy pic.twitter.com/P9Vl5ygzXt
— The Skip Bayless Show (@SkipBaylessShow) June 13, 2024
Hurley voiced the dislike that many coaches feel but don’t feel comfortable enough to say these things aloud.
The coach’s assertions make the absolute most sense. Sports media, as a whole, is split into a couple of categories. First, true journalists and beat writers exist. This group attempts to reside in the realm of fact.
From accurate quotes to precisely crafted opinion pieces, these professionals inform the masses without pageantry or wild gesticulations. Lastly, everyone else, Bayless included, lives in a world where being loud supersedes actually being right. They sit in thrones of ceiling-stacked money and fame but look deeper.
Granted, money matters, but at what cost? If you’ve sat in a journalism class in college, you fully understand that the writer should never be the story. Then again, much of sports media devolved into a circus of loud, angry people who treat facts and truth like bedbugs. Bayless, in that sense, is a pioneer.
Formerly a respected, award-winning journalist/author, he exchanged those standards for a payday. In all honesty, some people want to use media as a springboard to a television career, which is completely their right.
Make no mistake, Hurley gained a notorious reputation as a coach who whines about everything. From calls to opponents dunking during already-decided games, you will hear his voice. On balance, that level of behavior does not, or at least, should not align with the standards set by his university or the Big East Conference.
He makes sure the red light of the camera is on, then launches into these theatrics. Despite all of that, he makes sense. Sports media has become a part of too many stories. What is the reason? Clicks and views dictate pay for many in sports media. As a result, the hot take machines generate bushels of cash.
He singled out Bayless because the latter took to social media to chide the coach for rejecting an offer to coach the Los Angeles Lakers. Hurley signed an extension with Connecticut, earning a nice pay raise in the process.
Doug Gottlieb vs “Nobody U”. pic.twitter.com/dq0wyF0aoK
— Mike Ashley (@MikeAshley40) December 18, 2024
When Doug Gottlieb accepted the head men’s basketball job at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, on balance, a former Division 1 point guard coaching isn’t that rare. Yet, Gottlieb’s regular job is that of hot-take national show host.
If he’s not exchanging insults with LeBron James, he will eventually get around to coaching his team. While you can understand UWGB looking to generate buzz and interest. However, that’s when you should hire a former NBA player. Instead, Green Bay brings in a media member with basketball experience. Give Gottlieb credit, or he’ll take it anyway.
KEEP READING: UConn’s Director of Communications Confronts Reporter Over Viral Dan Hurley Video, Threatens ‘To Ruin His Life’
Gottlieb still hosts his show, and the Phoenix struggled through the worst season in program history at 4-28. Of those 28 defeats, 20 were of the double-digit variety. In addition, before their game against Division 2 Michigan Tech.
Gottlieb decided to label the opponent as “Nobody U.” The Huskies enjoyed the last laugh with a two-point victory. Karma is a brilliantly chilled dish served alongside humble pie.
Two things need to occur. Hurley needs to control his emotions, as they undermine the phenomenal success he enjoys at UConn. Additionally, in that process, he needs to keep calling out the media.
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