GLENDALE, Ariz. — Dan Hurley spent nine years as a high school basketball coach at St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, but that’s the beginning of his journey before landing his first head coaching job at Wagner in 2012. That’s just part of it.
Hurley spent time as a teacher. That included teaching sex education right after he finished his playing days at Seton Hall.
“Being able to teach a co-ed class at St. Anthony at age 22 means learning how to control the classroom and keep the audience engaged,” the Connecticut coach said Friday. The top-seeded Huskies were preparing to face No. 4 Alabama in the Final Four at State Farm Stadium.
“I think it’s definitely helped me as a huddle coach. I also think it’s helpful for people who are doing jobs other than coaching. I think it helps give them a little bit more perspective as well.”
At St. Benedict’s, Hurley also taught history. The UW players joke that their old history teacher shows up every now and then.
“I love it,” he said with a smile. “As a high school teacher, I have taught world history, primarily European history, starting with the fall of the Roman Empire. From the Dark Ages to the Reformation.”
There’s multitasking and there’s Kevin Keats week.
North Carolina State coaches not only prepared to lead the 11th-seeded Wolfpack to face No. 1 seed Purdue on Saturday, but also acquired transfer forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield from Louisville on Thursday. He made a big promise.
“I go back and forth with it. I really like Portal. I wish I didn’t have to deal with it at this point,” Keats said. “We’ve had some pretty good results with the portal, so I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve got this young man [DJ Burns Jr.] Exit through the portal. All five starters are from Portal. I had to become a big fan of it. ”
Connecticut freshman Stephon Castle said Suns All-Star guard Devin Booker met with the team ahead of Thursday’s Final Four.
“I was so happy to meet him,” Castle said. “He’s a great player in the league right now.”
