Dan Hurley celebrates school honor with heartfelt message 

Dan Hurley has achieved immense success as UConn's men's basketball coach. Earlier Thursday, the 51-year-old added another feather to his decorated cap as he received an induction into the St. Benedict's Preparatory Hall of Fame, making this the first Hall of Fame induction of his career.

Hurley represented St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, New Jersey, during his school days and was its coach for nine years, from 2001 to 2010. Following his induction into the school's Hall of Fame, he thanked them with a kind message on X.

"Nine of the Best Years of my life…Truly special place because of the people."

Dan Hurley among six individuals inducted into St. Benedict Prep's Hall of Fame Class of 2024

Hurley is one of six individuals who were inducted into St. Benedict Prep's Hall of Fame this year. The others are three-time NCAA wrestling champion Minga Batsukh, 17-time NCAA running champion Edward Cheserek, talented London-based actor Cameron Jones, humanitarian Dr. James Murphy and the late Joe Sokolewicz, one of the school's most popular teachers.

Hurley and these individuals were inducted on Tuesday in Cedar Grove, New Jersey.

UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley received his First Hall of Fame induction yesterday.

Hurley has enjoyed a memorable offseason so far. Before the Hall of Fame ceremony, he visited the White House last month after leading UConn to its second consecutive NCAA Tournament title.

He was also crowned "Ruler of the Jungle" for the Cincinnati Bengals' season opener against New England and threw the ceremonial first pitch for a game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox in July.

Also, in June, Hurley rejected a massive offer from the LA Lakers to stay in Storrs.

With a talented incoming class, the Huskies are chasing history. They could become the first team since the UCLA Bruins to win three NCAA Tournament titles in a row.

Hurley and the Huskies begin their title defense on Nov. 6 with a home game against the Sacred Heart Pioneers at 7 p.m. ET.