© Mark Smith-Imagn Images
While Uconn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley is undeniably one of the best coaches in the country, Hurley is, perhaps, more well-known for his often bristly, to put it lightly, personality.
But thanks to a new story about Hurley that’s making the rounds, we’ve learned that underneath that bristly personality is a genuine, caring human being who is willing to go out of his way for others.
Dan Hurley Has A Questionable Reputation…At Best
Hurley led the Huskies to back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024, cementing himself as perhaps the top men’s college basketball coach in the nation.
However, it seemed like everywhere he went, controversy followed.
Take, for instance, his director of communications threatening to ruin a reporter’s life over a video of Hurley. Or the repeated sideline outbursts that have earned him plenty of flak not just from opposing fans, but from media members as well.
But all is not what it seems.
Dan Hurley Helped UConn Student With Heart Problems Get Into Coaching
UConn student manager, London King, has always loved the game of basketball. However, multiple heart problems have kept him away from the game he loves.
King had two heart attacks as a child, leading to doctors installing an internal defibrillator. That allowed him to play high school basketball, where he became an All-Conference player in the state of Connecticut.
However, another cardiac event, this time during a pickup game, meant that playing basketball was off the table for King.
But that didn’t kill his love of the game. And if he couldn’t play, why not coach?
During a random encounter with Hurley on the UConn campus, King spoke with the coach and mentioned his love for the game and explained his story.
“You know, a kid from Connecticut, just his presence and the way he was able to communicate his story made his incredible first impression,” Hurley told Fox Sports.
Hurley offered King the opportunity to join his team as a student manager, with the aim of one day becoming a coach. He is now in his second year with the program, and has aims of one day following in Hurley’s footsteps, something that is possible, in part, because of Hurley’s compassion and thoughtfulness.