Dan Hurley has been UConn's head coach since 2018. It wasn't until some time between the end of the 2021-22 season and the start of the 2022-23, however, that something clicked.
The Huskies coasted through the NCAA Tournament to a national championship in 2023, and they arguably look even more dominant in 2024 in their quest to become the first team in 17 years to win consecutive titles. This, despite UConn not even winning a tournament game in the first four seasons under Hurley.
So, what changed? The answer might be as simple as Hurley's underwear. The 51-year-old coach wears the same underwear for every NCAA Tournament game, with an assist from his wife to keep the operation running smoothly.
As UConn looks to make history and go back-to-back, here's a look at how Hurley's lucky underwear tradition began.
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Why does Dan Hurley wear lucky underwear?
Hurley's underwear isn't just some regular pair of boxers. "Red boxers emblazoned with cartoon dragons" are the lucky pair, according to the New York Post. In 2021-22, shark-themed underwear was Hurley's go-to.
There is some good news: Hurley washes his underwear after every use, according to his wife. Instead of it being a gross habit, it's more of an odd superstition.
Hurley's wife told the Post that he wore the same underwear for each of UConn's first four NCAA Tournament wins in 2023, dominant victories over Iona, St. Mary's, Arkansas and Gonzaga. He kept the superstition alive in Houston, where the Huskies captured their fifth national title.
Hurley also wore the same outfit to every tournament game in 2023, including a navy suit jacket and the same blue checkered shirt. While many coaches now opt to wear a polo shirt instead of a suit, Hurley has continued to wear everything but a tie.
Superstition runs in the family. Hurley's wife said her father-in-law, legendary high school coach Bob Hurley, asked her to keep wearing the jacket she wore when UConn defeated Arkansas in the Sweet 16.
If it works, it works. Everything has worked to this point for the Huskies, who made a mockery of the West Region despite being a No. 4 seed. If UConn wins a national championship, will Hurley ever ditch the dragon underwear?
Dan Hurley coaching record
| Years | School | W | L | Pct. |
| 2010-2012 | Wagner | 38 | 23 | .623 |
| 2012-2018 | Rhode Island | 113 | 82 | .579 |
| 2018-present | UConn | 138 | 58 | .704 |
| Total | 289 | 163 | .639 |
Hurley has had slow starts at different stops, but he has managed to find success at Wagner, Rhode Island and UConn.
MORE: Get to know college basketball's famous coaching brothers, Dan and Bobby Hurley
Hurley went 25-6 in his second and final season at Wagner, and he won an NCAA Tournament game at Rhode Island in back-to-back seasons. The Rams haven't returned to the tournament since he left to coach the Huskies.
After a losing season in Year 1 at UConn, Hurley has steadily built the powerhouse program back up. He reached the tournament in both 2021 and 2022 before finally breaking through with not just one win in 2023, but six. Now. Hurley is three wins away from a second consecutive national championship.