A UConn staffer allegedly threatened the reporter who captured viral video of coach Dan Hurley leaving the court following the Huskies’ NCAA Tournament loss on Sunday.
The video of Hurley emerged following UConn’s 77-75 loss to Florida in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday in Raleigh, N.C. The video was captured by Joey Ellis of Queen City News, and Hurley’s recorded rant quickly went viral.
UConn was not happy about the moment being filmed, however. According to Queen City News, UConn director of communications Bobby Mullen told Ellis that he would “ruin (Ellis’) life” if the video was not deleted. The remark was heard by other reporters and staff on the scene.
After posting the clip of Dan Hurley leaving the floor post game in Raleigh, here’s an update with our latest reporting late Sunday night. @CSLonQCN pic.twitter.com/pOOvoIINhR
— Joey Ellis (@Jellis1016) March 24, 2025
In a statement, Mullen said Ellis had recorded video of a “private comment” while in a part of the arena he was not authorized to be in.
“The lasting image of Coach Hurley leaving the court should have been his walking off the court arm-in-arm with his seniors, overwhelmed with emotion. 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,” Mullen said in a statement.
Hurley was, as the video shows, in the tunnel leaving the court, with photographers and other staffers everywhere. He also was not exactly trying to keep his voice low or confiding quietly with anyone from Baylor. Ultimately, it was a regrettable show of emotion on Hurley’s part, and one that his school would have preferred not go public. Their response to the video and attempts to get it taken down only exacerbated the situation.
Hurley was much more reflective and emotional in his postgame press conference. Sunday’s loss was obviously tough on him, and he reacted accordingly.
