UConn staffer reportedly threatened reporter who posted Dan Hurley's rant

The Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team can't seem to stop avoiding controversies. 

After the No. 8-seeded Huskies lost to No. 1 seed Florida 77-75 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, UConn head coach Dan Hurley turned to Baylor players and coaches, who were preparing for their game against Duke, and dropped multiple expletives.

Joey Ellis of Queen City News in Charlotte captured Hurley's rant, posted it to his X account and suggested he was discussing the game's officiating.  

UConn men's basketball director of communications Bobby Mullen then told Ellis he would "ruin his life" if he didn't delete the clip, per Gabe McDonald of Queen City News.   

Mullen also called out Ellis in a since-deleted post on his X account.

"The lasting image of coach Hurley leaving the court should've been his walking off arm-in-arm with his seniors, overwhelmed with emotion," Mullen told Queen City News in a statement (h/t Sports Illustrated's Stephen Douglas). "Instead, a reporter, who was in an area he should not have been, recorded on his cell phone a private comment made to members of another coaching staff." 

Add this to the list of incidents that seemingly defined the Huskies' chaotic 2024-25 season. 

After winning two straight national championships in 2023 and 2024, UConn regressed this season, going 24-11 and 14-6 in Big East play. Hurley also drew criticism for his sideline antics throughout the year.

"'That's who he is. Be authentic. And he's competitive.' Take Dan Hurley out — if you say that about any coach, I just think it's an excuse for bad behavior," ESPN's Jay Bilas said in January on "College GameDay." 

The program should consider reevaluating itself this offseason. These tantrums from its coach and other staff members could continue to be distracting.