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Jay Bilas, ESPN College GameDay debate Dan Hurley's sideline antics, treatment of officials

Barkley-Truaxby:Barkley Truax01/25/25

BarkleyTruax

Dan Hurley
Robert Deutsch | USA TODAY Sports

It’s no secret that Dan Hurley wears his emotions on his sleeve during UConn basketball games. He’s a high-intensity coach and isn’t shy to let officials know what’s on his mind throughout each matchup.

That’s been made apparent by the multiple videos that have gone viral across social media showing Hurley doing everything from falling to the floor in disbelief, to appearing to proclaim to one referee that he’s the “best coach in the (expletive) sport.”

Winning back-to-back national championships with the Huskies, Hurley has turned into one of the most controversial coaches in all of college basketball. Reviewing his sideline antics on ESPN College GameDay, the crew had a heated debate on the topic. Jay Bilas was critical of the Huskies’ headman.

“Look, that’s who he is. Be authentic, and he’s competitive,” Bilas told the GameDay panel. “Take Dan Hurley out. If you say that about any coach, I think it’s just an excuse for bad behavior.”

Bilas’ GameDay co-host Jay Williams had an interesting perspective on Hurley’s actions, which was met with a negative response from the Auburn fans on hand for Saturday’s edition of the show.

“I’m not saying that it’s the right thing to do, but that’s who Dan Hurley is,” Williams said. “… But you tell me where the lie is. Dan Hurley is the best coach in the country. He doesn’t want somebody to walk away from him. He’s won back-to-back national championships. Until somebody dethrones him — you can make an argument, debate me, but I don’t see what’s wrong with it.”

While UConn’s success over the past two seasons will forever be written in college basketball record books, the Huskies have suffered more than a couple of setbacks so far this season. At 14-5, they’ve lost more games this season than did in all of the 2023-24 season.

With UConn being given a national spotlight, the Huskies are now under a microscope. More eyes are on Hurley, and his actions, than ever before.

“He’s not fake, and that’s just the way it is,” Seth Greenberg said. “If you’re a UConn fan, you love him. If you’re playing against him, you absolutely hate him, but I can tell you for sure that his players love him. They play their asses off for him. The culture is incredible. The identity is unbelievable. And right now he is good for the sport of basketball.”

During the debate, Adraya Carter stated that Hurley needs to “behave better.” She said that because it’s happened on multiple occasions, that’s why it’s such a big story. She believes he’s crossed the line.

“He can show his personality in ways that don’t include belittling the refs,” Carter said.

With Hurley’s resume, and the revamped contract he signed with the Huskies this offseason — the UConn head coach is unlikely to be leaving college basketball any time soon. Whether his antics are good for the sport or not will continue to be argued for as long as he’s around.

Rece Davis put his argument straightforward, wrapping a bow tightly on the entire debate: “It’s not a great look, however, it is wildly entertaining.”