UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley had nothing but praise for Jim Mora Jr., applauding the way the football coach rebuilt the Huskies into a tough, competitive program over his four seasons in charge. Hurley, who steered UConn to back-to-back national titles in 2022–23 and 2023–24, reflected on Mora’s departure with genuine admiration, noting the impact he made as he now prepares to take over at Colorado State next season.
Dan Hurley Pays Tribute to CSU-Bound Jim Mora Jr.
During a pregame media session before the men’s basketball team’s SentinelOne Showdown against No. 13 Illinois on Black Friday at Madison Square Garden, Hurley praised Mora’s leadership. He noted that Mora helped the Huskies football program make significant improvements over the past two seasons.
The 52-year-old bench tactician called Mora “as good as it gets” at leading an organization and credited him with transforming the team’s culture. Mora quickly became a fan favorite in East Hartford.
Hurley added that the 64-year-old son of former New Orleans and Indianapolis head coach Jim E. Mora boosted the program’s optimism and made watching UConn football during the fall and winter more fun.
“He elevated everything. It brought hope back to a program that was in a pretty dire situation and can’t have anything but love for what the guy was able to do here,” Hurley said. “It’s incredible the job he did. So, I wish him well. He’s an awesome coach. He did a lot for UConn.”
After signing for UConn in 2022, Mora endured two seasons of hardships, going 9-16 in 2022 and 2023, including a 28-14 loss to Marshall at the 2022 Myrtle Beach Bowl.
The 2024 season had lesser expectations following a 3-9 performance the previous year, but Mora surprised everyone, winning nine of 13 games, including a 27-14 win over North Carolina in the Fenway Bowl.
MORE: Dan Hurley Slips in a Subtle Jab at the NFL After UConn’s Strong Bounce-Back Win Against Bryant
Mora relied on quarterbacks Joe Fagnano and Nick Evers. Fagnano appeared in 10 games and threw for 1,631 yards for 20 touchdowns and four interceptions, while Evers finished with 918 yards with 5 TDs and 5 INTs.
Running backs Camryn Edwards, Durell Robinson, and Jayden Brown excelled under Mora’s watch, combining for 2,234 rushing yards and 16 TDs. In comparison, the receiving duties were mainly handled by Skyler Bell (860 reception yards and 5 TDs and TJ Sheffield (505 yards and 3 TDs).
This season, Mora continued to rely on Fagnano, who has repaid the coach with an excellent quarterback performance, throwing for 3,448 yards on a 69.0% completion rate with 28 touchdowns and one interception.
Edwards was the premier running back for UConn, rushing for 1,132 yards in 12 games and 14 TDs. Like his running back teammate, Bell has reached 1,000 yards in receiving, recording 1,278 yards with 13 TDs.
So it’s no surprise that UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley is in awe of Mora’s coaching genius, helping the Huskies transform from a perennial whipping boy to an FBS contender.
Jim Mora Jr. Will Miss UConn Bowl Game, Says Athletic Director
UConn Athletic Director David Benedict announced on Wednesday that former Huskies coach Jim Mora Jr. would not be on the sidelines for the team’s bowl game. Still, he hailed Mora’s efforts in helping the Huskies regain their winning culture in college football.
“Coach Mora brought energy and a winning culture back to UConn football and put our program back on the national stage,” Benedict said in a statement. “We thank Jim for his dedication to our student-athletes and wish him, his wife Kathy and his family the best at Colorado State.”
Interim coach Gordon Sammis will handle the plays for UConn in its scheduled bowl game. Leaving UConn meant Mora, who earned a contract extension through 2028, owes the school $1.5 million. The amount could be paid in monthly installments until 2028, and his deal with CSU could help him pay the liability he has with UConn.
Meanwhile, Dan Hurley will look to extend UConn’s winning streak when it plays Illinois on Friday afternoon at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Huskies (5-1) are coming off a 72-49 win over Bryant on Nov. 23.