A UConn men’s basketball staffer threatened to ‘ruin’ the life of a reporter who posted a video of a foul-mouthed Dan Hurley rant following the team’s second round loss to Florida in March Madness.
Following the 77-75 loss the No. 1 seed Gators on Sunday, Connecticut coach Hurley loudly complained about the referees in the game, telling Baylor (who were about to play on the same court): ‘I hope they don’t f** you like they f***ed us.’
The video, which was taken as UConn walked back to the locker room, was recorded and posted by Charlotte Sports Live reporter Joey Ellis, and the clip (which remains online) has received 1.2million views on X a day later.
The post apparently angered UConn’s director of men’s basketball communications Bobby Mullen, who reportedly asked Ellis to remove the video and said he would ‘ruin his life’ if he did not.
The remarks were heard by several other reporters, according to a CSL broadcast.
When approached by the outlet for a statement, Mullen did not apologize and claimed that Ellis was recording Hurley in an unauthorized area.
Dan Hurley was upset with the referees in UConn’s loss to Florida on Sunday afternoon
Warning: graphic language
UConn staffer Bobby Mullen threatened to ‘ruin’ Ellis’ life if he did not take down the video
‘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,’ Mullen said.
‘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.’
Ellis and others have said he was in fact permitted to be filming where he did. Mail Sport has also reached out for comment.
In a now-deleted post to X, Mullen said, ‘PR man yells at reporter. News at 11. I have a journalism degree and I know the difference between reporting and seeking out ‘gotcha’ moments. My temper flared a bit in a moment of weakness after a loss, but I think the journalists I work with regularly would vouch for me.’
Mullen said the ‘lasting image of coach Hurley leaving the court should have been his walking off the court arm-in-arm with his seniors.’
While UConn lost in frustrating fashion after leading late in the game, it’s not clear what the fiery Hurley was specifically angry with in regards to the referees.
Florida did shoot more free throws than their opponent, attempting 34 to the Huskies’ 22.
The loss ended Hurley and UConn’s defense of their two consecutive national championships.
Florida, meanwhile, moved into the Sweet 16 and will face Maryland on Thursday.
