Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley cuts down the net after defeating the San Diego State Aztecs in the national championship game of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Dan Hurley wins it for Jersey City

Coach Dan Hurley brought Connecticut its fifth national title Monday night. But his heart remains in Jersey City.

Hurley was born and raised in Jersey City, where his father, Bob Hurley, led a legendary basketball program at St. Anthony's High School. That team won 28 state titles, and it's where Hurley got his start, serving as his father's assistant.

The UConn coach didn't stray far from home when he started his career. First, he played college ball at Seton Hall, about 14 miles away from Jersey City. Then, after his year at St. Anthony's, Hurley worked as an assistant coach at Rutgers, a 30-mile drive from Jersey City.

Hurley then spent a decade building up the basketball program at St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, about six miles from Jersey City. There, Hurley developed a reputation as a tough disciplinarian, once kicking future No. 4 pick Tristan Thompson off the team and benching J.R. Smith for leaving school to get a haircut.

Eventually Hurley moved on to college coaching, at Wagner College in Staten Island (15 miles from Jersey City). He's been at UConn since 2018, but Hurley explained after the title game that his attitude and demeanor were pure Jersey City.

In his postgame press conference, Hurley said he thought his fiery demeanor had made people "focus on the sideline antics" rather than his impressive body of work.

"Maybe I don't do a great job of kissing the media's ass and presenting this image that's incredibly likeable," Hurley told reporters. "But I am who I am. I'm from Jersey City and this is how people from Jersey City act."

Hurley's earned himself a delicious Wawa hoagie and a tomato pie after his effort. This is how people from Jersey City celebrate a title.

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