UConn coach Dan Hurley booed by crowd during CBS sideline interview
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UConn Huskies men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley celebrates with his team after defeating the Illinois Fighting Illini to advance to the national championship on Saturday.
But not everyone in Indianapolis was thrilled to see Hurley return to the title game for the third time in four years.
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UConn head coach Dan Hurley stands on the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game against Illinois at the Final Four on April 4, 2026, in Indianapolis. (Michael Conroy/AP)
Hurley was preparing to talk to CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson. When freshman Braylon Mullins finished his speech, Hurley headbutted the player to remind him of his interaction with the referee right after Duke defeated the Blue Devils.
As Hurley approached the microphone, the crowd booed him.
“The beginning and the end of the game,” Hurley began about Mullins amid boos on the CBS broadcast. “I don’t know what it is… are they booing? Are they headbutting? I don’t know what they’re booing.”
Hurley’s intensity has drawn criticism and praise from college basketball fans. Since taking over the UConn job from Kevin Ollie before the 2018-19 season, he has helped the Huskies regain national prominence.
UConn head coach Dan Hurley reacts after a call during the second half of the NCAA tournament semifinal game against Illinois at the Final Four in Indianapolis on April 4, 2026. (Abbie Parr/AP)
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He suffered only one defeat with the Huskies; His first year was 16-17. This was a two-year development for the school, which faced sanctions during the final two years of Ollie’s tenure.
Now he’s doing something no coach has done in a long time; quickly returning to the national championship game. Roy Williams reached the national finals two years in a row with the North Carolina Tar Heels in 2016 and 2017. Brad Stevens led the Butler Bulldogs to back-to-back appearances in 2010 and 2011. Billy Donovan won two straight games in 2006 and 2007.
The last coach to make three appearances in four years was Mike Krzyzewski, but he made three consecutive appearances from 1990 to 1992. He won two of these championships in 1991 and 1992.
UConn’s Braylon Mullins and head coach Dan Hurley celebrate after defeating Illinois in an NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four on April 4, 2026 in Indianapolis. (Michael Conroy/AP)
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UConn will try to hoist the cup again on Monday night against the Michigan Wolverines.
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