Dan Hurley joins rare group: New Jerseyans to coach an NCAA basketball champion

New Jersey has produced its share of college basketball royalty, but Dan Hurley joined an exclusive list Monday, when he coaehed UConn to a win over San Diego State in the NCAA Tournament final.

The son of Jersey City and graduate of St. Anthony High School and Seton Hall University became just the third native New Jerseyan to coach a team to the Division 1 men’s basketball crown.

Apr 3, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley hugs his son guard Andrew Hurley (20) after their win against the San Diego State Aztecs in the national championship game of the 2023 NCAA Tournament at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

He joins Rollie Massimino and Gary Williams. All three of them not only hailed from New Jersey; they also coached at Garden State high schools.

Villanova coach Rollie Massimino is boosted aloft to cut the net down after they won they upset Georgetown in the 1985 national championship game.

Massimino attended Hillside High School and coached at Cranford and Hillside highs before eventually leading Villanova to the 1985 national title with a seminal upset of Georgetown.

Williams graduated from Collingswood High School and later coached at Woodrow Wilson High in Camden before eventually cutting down the nets with Maryland in 2002.

Maryland coach Gary Williams waves the net after winning the ACC Tournament. AP Photo.

Hurley cut his teeth as a head coach at St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark before ascending the collegiate ranks at Wagner and Rhode Island. He’s also the second New Jersey college grad to coach an NCAA champion, joining former Rutgers point guard Jim Valvano, who led N.C. State to the crown in 1983.

Head coach Jim Valvano of the North Carolina State Wolfpack celebrates with his team after the Wolfpack defeated the Houston Cougars 54-52 in the NCAA men”s basketball championship game at University Arena in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. He is an Associated Press Top 25 voter. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Dan Hurley of UConn is third New Jerseyan to coach NCAA basketball champion