UConn's Dan Hurley Reaches Third Final Four in Four Years

Veteran coach aims to savor the moment after back-to-back national championships.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:52pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the chaotic energy of a college basketball game, with sharp planes of bright blue, orange, and white intersecting to create a dynamic, fragmented visual representation of the sport.UConn's relentless pursuit of another national championship has the Huskies back in the Final Four, where coach Dan Hurley aims to savor the moment.Storrs Today

UConn men's basketball coach Dan Hurley has led his team to the Final Four for the third time in the last four seasons, a remarkable accomplishment for the veteran coach. The Huskies won the national title in 2023 and 2024, but missed out on the tournament in 2025. Now back on college basketball's biggest stage, Hurley is determined to enjoy the experience a bit more this time around.

Why it matters

Hurley's sustained success at UConn has cemented the program's status as one of the elite powers in college basketball. The Huskies' ability to reload and return to the Final Four year after year is a testament to Hurley's coaching acumen and the program's talent pipeline. As UConn chases its third national championship in four seasons, the team's continued excellence has made them a must-watch attraction in the sport.

The details

In his seven seasons as UConn's head coach, Hurley has led the Huskies to three Final Four appearances, winning the national title in 2023 and 2024. The team's lone tournament miss came in 2025, when they were upset in the second round. Now back in the national semifinals, Hurley is determined to savor the moment more than he has in previous runs, acknowledging that the grind of the season can sometimes overshadow the joy of competing on the biggest stage.

  • UConn won the national championship in 2023 and 2024.
  • The Huskies missed the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
  • This is Hurley's third Final Four appearance in the last four seasons.

The players

Dan Hurley

The head coach of the UConn men's basketball team, who has led the Huskies to three Final Four appearances in the last four seasons, including national titles in 2023 and 2024.

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What they’re saying

“I'm trying to enjoy this a little bit more. In the past, I've been so laser-focused on the task at hand that I haven't taken the time to really appreciate what we've accomplished.”

— Dan Hurley, Head Coach, UConn Men's Basketball

What’s next

UConn will face the winner of the other semifinal matchup in the national championship game on Monday, April 7th.

The takeaway

Dan Hurley's ability to sustain excellence at UConn has cemented the program's status as an elite force in college basketball. As the Huskies chase their third national title in four seasons, Hurley's focus on savoring the moment could help his team play with a renewed sense of joy and purpose.