Dan Hurley's Animated Sideline Reactions Shine in UConn's Final Four Victory

Original: F-bombs, herky jerks and the Final Straw: Every Dan Hurley reaction from the Final Four

Espn•Apr 5, 20269 min

In a Nutshell

In a thrilling Final Four matchup, UConn's head coach Dan Hurley showcased his animated coaching style, filled with exclamations and gestures, as his team narrowly defeated Illinois. Hurley's antics included shouting at referees and encouraging his players to stay calm, leading UConn to their third national title game in four years.

Key Points

01Dan Hurley shouted his first expletive just 55 seconds into the game.
02UConn's victory secured their third trip to the national title game in four years.
03Hurley frequently used gestures to communicate with both referees and players.
04The coach's emotional reactions included a signature 'Final Straw' move of rubbing his bald head.
05Hurley embraced opposing players post-game, displaying sportsmanship despite earlier tensions.

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Full Summary

In the Final Four semifinal held in Indianapolis, UConn's head coach Dan Hurley was a spectacle on the sidelines as he led his team to a victory over Illinois. Known for his fiery demeanor, Hurley expressed his frustrations with the referees early in the game, starting with an expletive just 55 seconds in. Throughout the match, he oscillated between animated outbursts and gestures aimed at calming his players. His signature moves included the 'Final Straw,' where he rubbed his bald head in exasperation after missed shots by his team. Despite the tension, Hurley maintained a focus on strategy, urging his players to stick to the game plan. As the game concluded, UConn secured a spot in the national title game for the third time in four years, with Hurley displaying sportsmanship by embracing Illinois head coach Brad Underwood and players post-game, even humorously addressing the crowd's boos directed at him.

Key Figures