UConn Coach Dan Hurley puts devotion to Christ over demands of the day

Known for building one of the best programs in men’s college basketball, Connecticut Huskies coach Dan Hurley has built his life on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ.

While UConn is no stranger to March Madness success, the program was in freefall in 2018 when Hurley took over as head coach. The Huskies missed the tournament in back-to-back years, 2017-18, and coach Kevin Ollie faced an NCAA investigation for recruiting violations.

After a few rebuilding years, Hurley has the Huskies on the brink of a historic achievement, two wins away from back-to-back national championships. If they succeed, the Huskies would be the first team to do so since the 2006-07 Florida Gators. 

Hurley has already led the Huskies to their first overall No. 1 seed in the big dance. With a 31-3 record this season, Hurley has his eyes set on a repeat of last year. 

“We’ve been the best team in college basketball. Obviously, March Madness next week, who knows what goes on there, but we’ve clearly been the best program in the country this year,” Hurley told ESPN on Saturday. 

The Huskies have backed Hurley’s confidence with a 7-2 record against AP top 25 teams this year, and currently are on a seven-game winning streak. They have trailed for a grand total of 28 seconds in this year’s tournament, winning their last 10 tournament games by double digits dating back to last year’s run. 

As defending champions, UConn and Hurley face extra pressure as March Madness draws to a close. Yet, Hurley is confident he can handle anything this game throws his way for one reason: his faith. 

“My foundation is super strong. My foundation starts with my faith — my faith in Jesus Christ,” Hurley explained on the “The Ed Mylett Show” last August. “That foundation that I have at home and my faith, like I can handle anything that comes with this job — the criticism, the losing, the going through tough stretches. I am built to handle everything that comes with this job because of my background, my foundation.” 

Hurley says before he began coaching at UConn he had no set routine for his day. Tossed by the demands of a high-stakes coaching job, he found something to hold onto after a conversation with Billy Donovan, the current Chicago Bulls head coach and former Florida Gators head coach. 

Donovan coincidentally coached the 2006-07 Gators, the last team to repeat as national champions in college basketball. Donovan’s advice helped Hurley develop a routine that put first things first before the demands of the day. 

Hurley adjusted his schedule so he could wake up earlier to spend the first hours of his day with the Lord.  

“Your spiritual readings, your prayer, your meditation practice,” Hurley said, explaining the rhythm of his mornings. “For me, [it’s] my journaling, whether it’s free writing or gratitude journaling.” 

“Hurley wakes up every day at 6 a.m. and almost always eats blueberries and raspberries for breakfast,” writes the Connecticut Post. “He prays, meditates and works out before arriving in the office around 8:15. … [H]e uses a sauna and takes a cold shower in the locker room, then writes in a journal and reads in his office – where candles and an aromatherapy machine sets the mood. It’s all part of his ‘mental and spiritual priming’ for a day’s work.  

Regardless of the Final Four outcome, Hurley has found solid ground to stand on by prioritizing devotion over demand.  

Hurley’s Huskies will face fourth-seeded Alabama on Saturday at 8:49 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.