25-03-2025
March Madness: UConn comms director apologizes after threatening reporter over viral Dan Hurley rant
The reporter who captured Dan Hurley's viral, expletive-filled rant following UConn's loss to Florida in the NCAA tournament has received an apology from the school's director of communications after an incident outside the locker room following the game.
"Just a quick (and hopefully final) update: Bobby Mullen and I spoke a short time ago, during which he apologized for his behavior. I accepted it … and life rolls on," Queen City News reporter Joey Ellis posted on X on Tuesday.
Following UConn's 77-75 loss to the Gators, Hurley went on an expletive-laden rant after exiting the court. In the clip, which was captured by Ellis, Hurley yelled, "I hope they don't f*** you like they f***ed us. I hope they don't do that to you, Baylor."
UConn's director of communications Bobby Mullen reportedly threatened to "ruin" Ellis' life if he did not remove the video of Hurley's rant about the refs.
(Warning: NSFW language below.)
'I hope they don't f$&@ you like they F'ed us, Baylor. I really hope they don't.' Danny Hurley to Baylor walking off the floor after a slug fest loss to top-seed Florida. Likely talking about officiating, if I had to guess #MarchMadness
— Joey Ellis (@Jellis1016) March 23, 2025
Charlotte Sports Live detailed the run-in, and claimed multiple other reporters and staff heard the threat. Both Charlotte Sports Live and Queen City News stood by Ellis' reporting.
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
— Joey Ellis (@Jellis1016) March 24, 2025
Charlotte Sports Live then reached out to Mullen for comment on the incident. Mullen gave the following statement to Charlotte Sports Live:
"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 private comments made to members of another coaching staff."
The original post, which features footage of Hurley's tirade, remains up on Ellis' X account.
Hurley, who is no stranger to letting his feelings fly on and off the court, gave an emotional interview to sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson following the team's loss to Florida. The loss ended UConn's quest to win the NCAA tournament for the third straight season.
