UConn men’s notebook: Kenya Hunter’s departure caught Dan Hurley ‘off guard;’ decision expected soon on Tyrese Martin waiver, thoughts on a ‘bubble,’ injury updates
Kenya Hunter’s decision to leave UConn took Dan Hurley by surprise.
“Usually in March, April, into May your wheels are turning about potential staff moves,” Hurley said. “Late August is never a time you’re ever expecting movement. And for me, as a head coach at UConn, you anticipate losing coaches to head coaching opportunities. You’re caught a little bit off guard when an assistant leaves for another assistant job.”
Hurley, who did not have an associate head coach his first two years, had already been in serious discussions about promoting Kimani Young to that title, with a plan to make it official when the semester started. Meanwhile, Kenny Payne left Kentucky’s staff for the Knicks, Bruiser Flint left Indiana to replace Payne and Hunter left to fill the opening at Indiana on Aug. 23. Hunter is now listed there as “co-associate head coach” along with Tom Ostrom under Archie Miller. Hunter and Miller had worked together before.
Hurley had Kevin Freeman’s name in mind for whenever he had an opening, and quickly brought him back from Penn State.
