Dan Hurley joked he's had a 'negative influence' on Geno Auriemma
Dan Hurley always has the jokes.
UConn men's basketball coach Dan Hurley has a pretty feisty personality, and he joked on Saturday night that it rubbed off on UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma. After Auriemma's heated exchange with South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley on Friday night during their Final Four game, Hurley joked that he's "had a negative influence" on Auriemma since he arrived to Storrs, per Front Office Sports reporter Amanda Christovich. Hurley later praised Auriemma as a pillar of class, but history would tell you they've both had their fair share of hot-head moments while coaching basketball.
The two are definitely kindred spirits that fit well at the same school. Speaking with a group of reporters outside the locker room postgame, Dan Hurley addresses the situation last night with UConn women’s coach Geno Auriemma. His full comments: pic.
twitter. com/979t8CL0BM — Amanda Christovich (@achristovichh) April 5, 2026 Hurley's UConn team did advance while Auriemma's team went home, so we're guessing it was easier for Hurley to joke about what happened than Auriemma. Wait, what happened between Auriemma and Staley?
Here's our explainer . This article originally appeared on For The Win: Dan Hurley jokes about Geno Auriemma Final Four meltdown