- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
UConn Coach Dan Hurley Fined $25,000 After Ejection in Marquette Loss
The Big East Conference penalized Hurley for "unsportsmanlike conduct" in the heated late-game incident.
Published on Mar. 8, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
UConn men's basketball head coach Dan Hurley received a significant $25,000 fine from the Big East Conference following his ejection from the Huskies' loss to Marquette on Saturday. Hurley was ejected late in the game after a heated confrontation with an official over a non-call on a potential game-tying layup attempt by a UConn player.
Why it matters
Hurley's ejection and the subsequent fine highlight the high standards of sportsmanlike conduct that the Big East Conference expects from its coaches, even in the heat of close, high-stakes games. The incident also raises questions about the balance between competitive intensity and maintaining composure on the sidelines.
The details
With UConn trailing by 4 points in the final seconds, Huskies guard Silas Demary Jr. drove to the basket for a potential game-tying layup. However, a Marquette defender met Demary in the lane, preventing the shot. Hurley believed a foul should have been called on the play and erupted at the nearest referee, John Gaffney. The heated confrontation resulted in Gaffney quickly assessing two technical fouls on Hurley, ejecting the coach from the game with one second remaining. Marquette went on to win 68-62.
- The incident occurred in the final seconds of the March 7, 2026 game between UConn and Marquette.
- The Big East Conference announced Hurley's $25,000 fine later that same day.
The players
Dan Hurley
The head coach of the UConn men's basketball team, known for his intense sideline demeanor.
Silas Demary Jr.
A UConn guard who attempted the late-game drive that sparked Hurley's outburst.
John Gaffney
The referee who assessed the two technical fouls and ejected Hurley from the game.
Nigel James Jr.
A Marquette guard who scored 19 points to lead the Golden Eagles to the upset victory over UConn.
Val Ackerman
The Commissioner of the Big East Conference, who issued the statement announcing Hurley's fine.
What they’re saying
“We hold our coaches to high standards of sportsmanlike conduct during game competition, and inappropriate interactions with our officials will not be tolerated.”
— Val Ackerman, Big East Commissioner
“I've been ejected before, and I've been back out there. It's not my first rodeo.”
— Dan Hurley (Newsweek)
What’s next
Hurley and the UConn Huskies will begin their Big East Tournament run on Thursday, March 12, facing the winner of a first-round game.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the fine line coaches must walk between competitive intensity and maintaining composure, as the Big East has made clear it will not tolerate inappropriate behavior towards officials, even from high-profile coaches like Dan Hurley.
