“He’s a treasure”: Hurley reflects on postgame talk, relationship with Jim Calhoun

HARTFORD, Conn. — Dan Hurley has never shied away from mentioning Jim Calhoun’s name in a postgame press conference.

The current UConn head coach has always cherished the time he gets to spend around the 83-year-old patriarch of the Huskies’ men’s basketball program, affectionately dubbing Calhoun “the GOAT” whenever his name comes up in conversation. With over 800 wins, three national championships and arguably the best program build in modern college basketball history, it is hard to argue Hurley’s assertion.

The two shared another moment Saturday, as Calhoun attended UConn’s 75-67 overtime victory over Villanova inside PeoplesBank Arena. After the second-ranked Huskies scored the final eight points of the extra session to pull away to victory, Hurley was asked about the impromptu chat.

“I think Coach rattled off about four or five things we suck at,” Hurley said, generating laughter from the press corps gathered for his postgame media briefing. “I just wanted to ask him how he was feeling, thank him for being there, and tell him I love him. I appreciate everything he’s been able to do.”

On numerous occasions, Hurley has waxed nostalgic about his first encounter with the hall of famer, one that, by his own admission, was not as cordial as he had hoped.

Upon leaving Rhode Island and replacing Kevin Ollie in 2018, Hurley had tangible regrets following his first workout with his new program, and voiced them to Calhoun. The former coach, in his own unique style, took the time to conduct some on-the-job training.

“He ripped my ass,” Hurley recalled after winning his second straight national championship in 2024. “At the end of day two, I went into his office and said, ‘hey, Coach, this is bull you-know-what. Nothing’s in place. This is UConn. Where’s the infrastructure? What’s going on here? What the hell?’ And he was like, ‘are you shitting me? You’re not the person that we probably should have hired.’”

Hurley and Calhoun have since grown closer since that initial meeting, and the mentor-mentee relationship is so cherished now that the former waited to address his own team Saturday until after he could process Calhoun’s comments and save them for future reference.

“I quickly went in the locker room and put in the notes section of my phone all the shit he said about the things we need to get better at,” a proud Hurley said. “I actually went right in, bypassed the team and took those notes down. Every time I get a chance to be around Coach, I learn something. From the day I got here, every time I get a chance to see him, he’s a treasure.”

UConn returns to action Tuesday, when the Huskies welcome Providence to Gampel Pavilion, seeking a season sweep of the Friars after winning the first matchup on January 7.