UConn Coach Hurley Walks Back Criticism of Home Crowd After Loss

Hurley apologizes for calling out fans after Creighton defeat, saying they were "awesome" in supporting the team.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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UConn basketball head coach Dan Hurley criticized his team's home crowd after a win against Georgetown, saying the fans needed to be "loud as (bleep)" from the start. However, after a loss to Creighton, Hurley walked back those comments, apologizing and saying the crowd was "awesome" in their support despite the defeat.

Why it matters

UConn is one of the premier college basketball programs, and the home crowd is usually a major factor in their success. Hurley's initial criticism of the fans raised eyebrows, as the team has generally enjoyed strong support at home games. His reversal shows the importance of maintaining a positive relationship between the team and its supporters.

The details

After the Georgetown win, Hurley said the home crowd needed to create a "madhouse" atmosphere, criticizing them for treating games like a "social event." However, following the loss to Creighton, Hurley walked back those comments, saying the fans were "awesome" in their support and that he felt "like a little bit of an idiot" for the earlier criticism.

  • On February 19, 2026, Hurley criticized the UConn home crowd after a win against Georgetown.
  • On February 19, 2026, Hurley apologized for his criticism and said the crowd was "awesome" in supporting the team despite a loss to Creighton.

The players

Dan Hurley

The head coach of the UConn basketball team, who initially criticized the home crowd but later apologized for his comments.

Ed Cooley

The head coach of the Creighton basketball team, who Hurley said asked him about the empty seats at the UConn home game.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not (trying to hype the crowd) anymore though. I asked the players to try to do it... It's not a (bleeping) social event, right? Like, this is the Basketball Capital of the World, we need our fans to come to the game and be loud as (bleep) from the start. It needs to be a madhouse.”

— Dan Hurley, Head Coach, UConn Basketball (Hartford Courant)

“Crowd was awesome. I feel like a little bit of an idiot. Where you criticize your home environment. They were awesome today. We have a little bit of a tendency this year to kill the crowd.”

— Dan Hurley, Head Coach, UConn Basketball (X (formerly Twitter)

What’s next

The UConn basketball team will look to bounce back from the Creighton loss and continue their strong season, with the home crowd expected to provide enthusiastic support going forward.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the delicate balance coaches must strike in managing fan expectations and maintaining a positive relationship with the home crowd. Hurley's initial criticism was seen as disrespectful, but his subsequent apology and acknowledgment of the fans' importance shows the value of open communication and maintaining goodwill between a team and its supporters.