Dan Hurley: Full Interview

We’re in Storrs, Connecticut, to capture exclusive access with UConn Men’s Basketball Coach Dan Hurley. In our interview, Hurley details the regrets he faced after taking the UConn job and reveals why he said no to the Los Angeles Lakers job. Plus, Hurley opens up about experiencing depression after receiving a life-changing phone call and the process it took for him to overcome that mental state.
#interview #coaching #basketball

0:00 - George Brett's golf bet
2:01 - Dan's 'weirdo room'
3:14 - Morning routine and handling losses
6:07 - Struggling with sugar and caffeine
8:45 - Dan Hurley time
9:30 - Why my marriage works
11:40 - Struggling in college
13:56 - Proposing to Andrea
15:44 - Didn’t want to play basketball anymore
19:19 - Financial struggles
22:03 - Dad’s coaching pedigree
22:40 - Leaving Wagner
25:55 - Taking the UConn job
30:09 - Lakers job offer
39:20 - Being hard on myself
41:05 - Fear of failure
41:53 - Andrea’s “motivation” after losses
45:15 - Panic attacks
49:45 - Doctors couldn’t diagnose me
55:20 - Neck surgery
59:22 - Superstitions
1:01:00 - Extreme weight loss
1:02:24 - Traveling with laundry machine
1:02:48 - Half court shot superstition
1:04:01 - Wanting out at UConn
1:08:50 - Agent's concerns
1:11:20 - Imploded amid tough loss
1:11:59 - Don't care about your opinions
1:13:45 - Fatherhood's impact on coaching
1:14:38 - Coaching with son Andrew
1:16:57 - Upbringings' impact on fatherhood
1:18:19 - Importance of vulnerability, tough love
1:21:02 - Playing in tough neighborhoods growing up
1:24:13 - Brother's car accident
1:28:17 - Mental health struggles
1:33:33 - Coming into UConn strong
1:34:31 - Championship feeling doesn’t last
1:36:39 - Extraordinary demands at UConn
1:37:40 - Heated recruiting arguments
1:39:56 - Lasting relationships with staff
1:40:55 - State of college athletics
1:43:10 - Retirement

Episode debuted nationwide in 2024.

Connect with Graham:

[patrickshea]

The single best Hurley interview ever. So honest and open, approaches everyday like a champ. So many lessons

[ronaldlawrence]

As someone who is currently struggling with severe anxiety, when coach talks about when he had health problems and the fear of dying started to overwhelm him, I can totally relate. It “rocked him to his core”

He talks about his fear. Very courageous.

[SanctuaryGardenLiving]

So grateful to Dan and Andrea Hurley for being here as part of our community in CT and bringing us so much joy and pride! 💙🙏🏼♥️

[faf]

Thank you Dan Hurley for bringing UConn back to greatness! And making us Connecticut residents very arrogant when it comes to Who’s the best College program!

[debellatios]

I'm a die-hard Kansas fan, but I could listen to Coach Hurley talk basketball for hours. His passion and energy make him such a fun coach to follow. I hope he's still coaching 20 years from now.

[GrahamBensinger]

0:00 - George Brett's golf bet
2:01 - Dan's 'weirdo room'
3:14 - Morning routine and handling losses
6:07 - Struggling with sugar and caffeine
8:45 - Dan Hurley time
9:30 - Why my marriage works
11:40 - Struggling in college
13:56 - Proposing to Andrea
15:44 - Didn’t want to play basketball anymore
19:19 - Financial struggles
22:03 - Dad’s coaching pedigree
22:40 - Leaving Wagner
25:55 - Taking the UConn job
30:09 - Lakers job offer
39:20 - Being hard on myself
41:05 - Fear of failure
41:53 - Andrea’s “motivation” after losses
45:15 - Panic attacks
49:45 - Doctors couldn’t diagnose me
55:20 - Neck surgery
59:22 - Superstitions
1:01:00 - Extreme weight loss
1:02:24 - Traveling with laundry machine
1:02:48 - Half court shot superstition
1:04:01 - Wanting out at UConn
1:08:50 - Agent's concerns
1:11:20 - Imploded amid tough loss
1:11:59 - Don't care about your opinions
1:13:45 - Fatherhood's impact on coaching
1:14:38 - Coaching with son Andrew
1:16:57 - Upbringings' impact on fatherhood
1:18:19 - Importance of vulnerability, tough love
1:21:02 - Playing in tough neighborhoods growing up
1:24:13 - Brother's car accident
1:28:17 - Mental health struggles
1:33:33 - Coming into UConn strong
1:34:31 - Championship feeling doesn’t last
1:36:39 - Extraordinary demands at UConn
1:37:40 - Heated recruiting arguments
1:39:56 - Lasting relationships with staff
1:40:55 - State of college athletics
1:43:10 - Retirement

[davidpulaski]

Always a great day when Graham uploads. Appreciate all the great work you do!

[jonathanhollier]

If Danny gets this 3-peat he’ll reach Legend status at the collegiate coaching level 💯🏀💪

[jordanmulford]

Great Coach!! He coaches and teaches toughness which young men need to survive in the world today!!!!

[jiggaby]

Andrea Hurley is Iconic based on that gym quote ALONE!!! lol

[MMAALL]

While the NBA is something that may or may not happen, I see him as the coach of team USA like Coach K. He would do great in FIBA basketball. UConn plays a very similar style. In CT, Hurley is literally the king of the state.

[freakboy]

I swear I love this guys wife! She is so perfect for him. She serves it straight with no chaser. She doesn't have the extra knowledge of the game which helps tremendously. She brings it back to earth.

[cameronchiesa]

The best interview on this channel, absolutely incredible! Dan Hurley is 1/1, a madman who's a basketball savant.

[perryhunter]

I was a high school coach in Indiana for 7 years, and how he describes himself was spot on to me. However, he has been able to function with his issues...I much prefer the assistant job because I cannot. Really enjoyed the interview and his teams.

[butchtiller]

He's a great coach. But, based on this interview, in my opinion, the best thing he has going for him is his wife.

[JoVatore]

His wife is amazing. She's a force. We love her in CT. She's our queen

[constantineandreu]

I always knew Dan would be in the position that he's currently in👍

[chrispaul]

GB's stuff is legend... Danny has suffered the damnation of the Furies,
which, like Robert Johnson's crossroads, has made him an unparalleled force.
The neck/spine issues that could've crippled him was chilling to hear.

[itsjustacomment]

Not going to the Lakers was probably his best career decision. He and LeBron would've butt heads.

[Davidmark-im]

Creating another source of income in these difficult times is the best thing to do. Not only does it guarantee returns, it also helps you plan and save for future express it can be quite difficult to make an investment without sound knowledge or guidance which is why it is adorable to work with an investment advisor