"I lied to the media like two or three times": When Dan Hurley intentionally left POTUS Joe Biden on voicemail

UConn won their fifth NCAA championship with Dan Hurley as head coach in 2023. It is customary for basketball champions, be it in college or at the professional level, to get invited to the White House.

There was a rumor that when President Joe Biden called Hurley, he did not answer the phone and left it on voicemail. Hurley confirmed the rumor and revealed the funny backstory in an interview following the White House visit.

In his interview with CBS Sports in Nov. 2023, when asked if he really let the President's call go to voicemail, Hurley said:

"I did, I sent it to voicemail. And I lied to the media like two or three times. I thought it was somebody that either wanted a job, somebody wants to go to the portal so I don't know the number it's not familiar. I said initially I was on the phone with a recruit, I wasn't. Then I think I said I was on the phone with Andrea and I wasn't.

"I think I was just on the phone BS it. But I got the voicemail and maybe it's better now (be)cause now I got a voicemail from Joe Biden, which I could save and have cocktail party whatever."

What happened when Dan Hurley and UConn went back to the White House?

In the following year (2024), UConn became back-to-back NCAA champions and got another chance to visit POTUS Joe Biden at the White House. UConn became the first team in 17 years to win back-to-back NCAA championships.

Biden made sure to shower praises on the national champions and the UConn legacy.

News: University of Connecticut Huskies visit White House and Biden after NCAA Championship win - Source: Imagn

What now for UConn after losing multiple stars to the NBA?

UConn had six players from their championship-winning rosters getting drafted to the NBA. Jordan Hawkins and Andre Jackson Jr. were drafted in 2023 by the Pelicans and Magic, respectively. Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs), Donovan Clingan (Portland Trail Blazers), Tristen Newton (Indiana Pacers), and Cam Spencer (selected by the Pistons and traded to the Grizzlies) were also from UConn.

Dan Hurley with UConn alumni Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan at the NBA: Draft - Source: Imagn

UConn had a frustrating start this season. The Maui Invitational was particularly irking for Dan Hurley after UConn finished last. Going 0-3 in Maui, they also suffered their biggest loss to a nonconference opponent since 2018 which was Hurley's first season at the helm.

The back-to-back champions seem to have a target on their back. Hurley, who rejected the Lakers to stay at UConn, will cement his name as an NCAA legend if he wins another championship this year.

Will there be a third visit to the White House for the UConn Huskies MBB? Let us know what you think.