"Last year's experience was grueling and miserable for the most part. When you're used to dominant national championship runs and that [becomes] more of a survival fest, the ego explodes and the frustration builds and the disappointment, the resentment and you're tough to be around and you're tough for yourself to be around."
"Hurley knew he had put the burden of championship expectations on a group that hadn't earned them. He knew he had to adjust for 2025-26. With a new philosophy to balance his trademark intensity, Hurley has adjusted -- his approach to roster construction and, perhaps more importantly, his expectations."
Dan Hurley spent eight months preparing UConn to win a third consecutive national championship, the first since UCLA's 1967 achievement. The team struggled under the weight of these expectations, accumulating nonconference losses early in the season and ultimately finishing third in the Big East before losing in the NCAA tournament's second round. Hurley acknowledged the burden he placed on a roster with only three returning championship players. Recognizing his mistake, he fundamentally changed his approach for the 2025-26 season, emphasizing process over perfection and balancing his intense coaching style. This adjustment has proven effective, with UConn now ranked fourth nationally and positioned for a 1-seed in the tournament.
Read at ESPN.com
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