Dan Hurley’s players recall his angriest practice tirades: ‘That was my Welcome to UConn moment’
Every UConn player has a story about Dan Hurley’s tirades, and they were happy to tell us.
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: Head coach Dan Hurley of the UConn Huskies reacts during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images INDIANAPOLIS — Malachi Smith knew what he was getting into when he committed to UConn in the transfer portal last April. After four seasons at Dayton, Smith craved the intensity and success fostered by Dan Hurley’s Huskies.
He had heard of stories of head coach’s legendary practice tirades, and it didn’t take long for him to become the focal point of one. Hurley was instructing Smith about passing reads during an early season practice when the senior guard gave a nonchalant acknowledgement that he heard the coach’s message. “I said, ‘OK, bet,’” Smith recalled after UConn’s thrilling 2026 Final Four victory over Illinois on Saturday night.
It turned out that was a poor choice of words. “He told me, say ‘yes, coach,’ and I said, ‘yes coach,’” Smith said. “He said no, say ‘yes fucking coach.
’ And I said, ‘yes, fucking coach. ’ Ever since I’ve been saying ‘yes coach’ or ‘yes sir. ’” Hurley is 40 minutes away from his third national championship in four years when UConn faces the Michigan Wolverines in the title game on Monday.
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