Never Stop: Life, Leadership, and What It Takes to Be Great

by Dan Hurley, Ian O'Connor

Discover the inspiring life and leadership lessons of a legendary coach who turned his University of Connecticut team into back-to-back NCAA champions—wisdom that goes far beyond the basketball court.

What does it take to be truly great? In Never Stop,UConn Basketball Coach Dan Hurley and acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Ian O’Connor dive deep into this question. After leading the UConn Huskies to back-to-back NCAA Championships, Hurley faced a life-changing decision: stay and build on his legacy with the college players he loved or take the leap to coach a legendary NBA team. Here, Hurley brings you inside that pivotal moment and shares the powerful lessons that helped him build a championship culture, offering practical strategies that apply far beyond basketball.

Hurley’s story is one of grit, resilience, and redemption. Born into basketball royalty as the son of a legendary high school coach and brother to a Duke Blue Devils icon, Dan’s path wasn’t easy. His life spiraled into a battle with mental health so severe that he once contemplated suicide. But through sheer determination, he turned his struggles into strength, stepping out of his family’s shadow to create his own legacy.

In the tradition of coaching classics like Tim Grover’s Relentless and Phil Jackson’s Eleven Rings, Never Stop is more than an inspirational story—it’s a playbook for life. Hurley’s story is both uplifting and instructive, blending raw honesty and actionable advice, making it a must-read for sports fans, business leaders, and anyone chasing greatness.

Genres: Sports, Biography, Basketball, Memoir, Leadership, Nonfiction, Audiobook

304 pages, Hardcover

Published September 30, 2025

Reviews

[Danny Botti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome to see Hurley be so open and honest with his struggles with mental health over the years. I hope he coaches UConn until he’s 150.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

(2 stars) but I don’t want him to see poor ratings and have it derail the entire 2025-26 season. Go huskies!

[Bill Pence · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a memoir from Dan Hurley, the coach of the University of Connecticut Men’s basketball team, which won back-to-back national titles. In the final chapter, which was worth the price of the book for me, Hurley shares his leadership philosophies.
Before reading this book, I knew Hurley primarily for his sideline antics. But there is much to his story. The book begins with Hurley being courted by the Los Angeles Lakers, whom he would eventually turn down to stay at Connecticut. He tells of the expectations upon him as the son of Bob Sr., perhaps the greatest high school coach ever who won twenty-eight state championships and four national championships, along with eight undefeated seasons at St. Anthony High School in Jersey City, New Jersey, and the brother of Duke All-American, two-time NCAA champion, and NBA player Bobby Hurley. He writes that because of that, everything about his life was public.
Dan would play at St. Anthony and go on to play at Seton Hall. It was there that he nearly had a nervous breakdown. He was significantly helped by Sister Catherine Waters, director of Seton Hall’s counseling services. He was in counseling to deal with low self-esteem and depression. Throughout the book, Hurley is transparent about his mental health and anxiety issues.
After college, he took a job at St. Anthony’s, teaching driver’s ed, and sex education and health. He took the job because it included a position as second assistant for his father. He later accepted a job at Rutgers as a restricted earnings coach, and was fired when the head coach was fired two years later. He then took a job as the coach of St. Benedict’s Prep of Newark.
Finances were a significant issue with Hurley and wife Andrea, and at one time they nearly divorced.
Hurley won two prep state titles in his first two seasons as head coach. He writes that his burning hunger to be number one came from wanting to be compared favorably with his father.
He would then take the head coaching job at Wagner College. His first hire as an assistant coach was brother Bob, who is now the head coach at Arizona State.
Later, he would take the head coaching job at Rhode Island and money was no longer a problem. Brother Bob agreed to join him to help turn things around. Rhode Island would make the NCAA tournament two years in a row, but he realized that it would be next to impossible to win a national title at Rhode Island.
He then was hired as the head coach at UConn, which had an excellent tradition of winning national titles.
He writes of learning to be calm despite his competitive fire and raging intensity through exercise, meditation, journaling, and prayer.
Hurley would go on to win back-to-back NCAA titles in 2023 and 2024, before making the NCAA tournament in 2025, but falling just short against eventual champion Florida. He had periods when he wanted to quit, as coaching takes so much out of him. But he is confident, stating that he will win a third national championship.
He writes in detail about his “Maui meltdown” during a Thanksgiving tournament in 2024. He writes that he was oblivious to how big a story his behavior was becoming nationally. He tells us that he will apologize for a sideline or hallway outburst here or there, but he will never apologize for how he inspires the young men in his huddle.
I enjoyed reading about Hurley’s life, his successes and his struggles. In the final chapter of the book Hurley shares his leadership philosophies, which he concludes by stating that is a stone-cold fact that his style of leadership produces great teams and great people.
Again, for me, that chapter was worth the price of the book. I think this book will be enjoyed by college basketball fans and those would will want to learn Hurley’s leadership keys to success. Warning: this book contains a significant amount of adult language.

[Dave Hambleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sucker for books by coaches. I buy them hoping to gather tips and tricks to add to my coaching repertoire and I’m usually disappointed to find a biography instead of a manual. NEVER STOP: LIFE, LEADERSHIP, AND WHAT IT TAKES TO BE GREAT by Dan Hurley and Ian O’Connor is no exception. But it’s a hell of a biography. I thoroughly enjoyed his story. And you will, too. Unless you’re a referee.

[Mariah Hornsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been fortunate to have several conversations with Coach, and reading this book was exactly like talking to him in person. His authenticity, accountability, and deep level of care for what he does and the people in his world is evident throughout every page. I am grateful he took the chance to share parts of his story with the world, my deep respect for him has only grown. The coaching lessons, the human lessons, in this book are something any human with a willingness to mold themselves into a better person should consume. Love basketball? Read it. Love learning? Read it. Love leadership? Read it. Love performance? Read it. Love resilience? Read it. Want to have a better understanding of the Dan Hurley you see clips of? Read it.

If you put this book down with anything less then a thorough understanding of how imperfect humans can care deeply about what they do and who they do it for and achieve amazing things, you need to read it again.

“… find you passion and pursue it with whole heart and single mind.” - Gail Sheehy

[Lauren Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminiscing on March madness. I feel like I understand & appreciate Dan so much more after reading this. I admire his vulnerability and willingness to share his relationship with basketball, I had no idea the extent of his mental health struggles. One thing is for sure is that this guy has deserved any penny he has ever made. So what he seems like a maniac on the sidelines sometimes? Dan’s passion and dedication to his players is on a different tier, this level of love is something that I think majority of people will never experience toward a job, hobby, concept, whatever you wanna consider basketball to him. Forever roll skies.

[Kristina Chomick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when someone can be open and honest about their mental health journey in such an authentic way and Dan Hurley does not disappoint. This book humanizes the man we all see behind the faces and energy on the sidelines and helps to understand the passion too. As always, GO UCONN.

[Abby Vampatella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mannnn. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book this fast. It is so interesting getting into the mind of Hurley. As a coach, this was a fascinating read start to finish. Would recommend to anyone. GREAT. read.

[Olivia Porcello · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned sooo much about Hurley and so glad I read —— now let’s win some games in March PLS!!!!!

[LuAnne Porcello · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I’m a Providence College Alum who has always loved Big East Basketball. I enjoyed the storytelling and the pace of the book. Dan certainly has some foibles, however he is so honest and true in his own telling that it really makes you like the guy! I found all the history of his childhood, and his famous Dad and brother all very interesting. Gave me a different opinion of his dedication and routine to be the best he can. Highly recommend for any CT resident or Husky fan!

[Alyssa Barzach · Rating 5 out of 5]

It feels wrong to give Dan Hurley anything less than 5 stars!!! I listened to the audiobook with Hurley narrating the first and last chapters! A really interesting and fun read for UConn Basketball fans. I appreciate how open Hurley was about his mental health and shortcomings as a coach, father, etc!

Some quotes I loved-
“I’m a unique blend of love and lunacy”
“I’d rather not be a beloved phony”
“Gen Z, Gen Y, Jen Anniston, I don’t care”
“You want your kid to be comfortable? Buy him a LaZ Boy. Don’t send him to Camp Hurley”

[Victor Tamayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a die hard UConn fan I was really excited to read this book and what I read was not what I expected. Over the last few years Dan and UConn have sat at the top of the college basketball world but that was a footnote in this book. This book focused on his struggles growing up, his fear of not being good enough, his failures as a coach, man husband and dad. That was refreshing as he spoke to the lows of his mental health and made it okay to not be okay and that’s more valuable than talking about a championship. Highly recommend even if you’re not a basketball or UConn fan.

[Sarah DePalma · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Regret is an empty illusion. You can't appreciate your success until you realize it's built on a foundation of failure."

Dan Hurley is 100% an authentic version of himself in every environment and I freakin love it. If you are a Uconn fan or a college basketball fan, this is a must read!

[Thief of Pages (Ty) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a phenomenal read! This book right here is a perfect example of why books are magic. I’ve never met Dan Hurley nor will I ever meet him. I’ve never played college basketball nor will I ever coach college basketball. But when you read books like this, it’s almost like you’ve experienced it yourself or you were right alongside the author with them during their journey. To me, that is invaluable and that is magic. Think about all the hidden gems you can learn from someone else’s trials and tribulations. You can pick the things that worked for them and implement them in your own life while staying away from the things that didn’t work for them. Dan Hurley’s life story up to this point is incredible. Inspiring and motivating as they come. You don’t have to be a basketball fan or a sports fan to enjoy this book. There is something valuable in here for everyone. Highly recommended!

[Jeffrey Warcholik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight into Dan Hurley’s background and the leadership principles he uses to coach his team.

[Genhi Pettiford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good 😊 !!!! It gave an insight look at what goes on behind the scenes as a college basketball coach.

[Laura Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read, especially if you’re UCONN Husky fan like me!

[Grace Harrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

love this man

[Naomi Moo · Rating 4 out of 5]

- Champions are built in (hard) practice
- Be the only person you were designed to be -> YOU
- Talk your shit
- Failure IS the foundation
- Find the game you love and COMMIT to it(don’t take the commitment lightly!!)
- What are the guiding principles to your basketball program? how are you building a framework to adhere to them?

[Nicole Bartolotta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars!!! This book gives fans an inside look at the last three seasons, from the heartbreaks to the back-to-back titles we all remember so well, through DH’s own perspective. It also dives into his childhood challenges and the adversity that shaped him into the coach he is today. Hearing how he processed the wins, losses, and everything in between is inspiring and raw—a true glimpse into the mindset behind a champion. Love this and a must read!!! Go Huskies!!!

[Ellen Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

April 3, 2023 will forever and always be the best day of my life and if I tell you otherwise I’m lying

[Will Matuszak · Rating 4 out of 5]

8.5/10. Authentic

[Mariana Carcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing less than 5 stars for Danny

[Jake Loren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danny is more nuts than I ever knew even as a Uconn alumni. But hes our coach and the crazy drives him and uconn players to greatness. very insightful.

[Fernando · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read that worked even for someone who hasn’t followed college ball or professional basketball for years. It offers decent insight into what it takes to coach college athletes and the pressures that come with it.

The parts touching on his mental health are meaningful, though the coverage of the techniques he used feels light. The pacing is quick, sometimes too quick, and a few sections come across as rushed or lightly developed

[Dimitri Chacharone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up as a fun read in the week leading up to the Final Four. That’s not what I got — or at least, not only what I got.

The chapter on Hurley’s mental health is the heart of the book. The imposter syndrome, the weight of the family name, the fear of never measuring up to Bob Sr. and Bobby Jr. — it’s written with a rawness that you don’t expect from a coach memoir, and it lands. His note about needing a female therapist given what he absorbed from his father’s example is one of the more quietly honest things I’ve read in this genre. The alcohol, the inability to be present for the people around him, the cycle of external achievement masking internal wreckage — it’s all there, and it’s real. I didn’t expect to see my own situation reflected back at me through a basketball coach, but here we are.

The other thread that stuck with me is how long it took Hurley to understand that life was bigger than the game. His entire identity was constructed around basketball success, and the book is honest about how suffocating and brittle that kind of identity becomes. Relatable for reasons that have nothing to do with basketball.

The camera-everywhere dimension of modern coaching is worth thinking about too. Every sideline meltdown, every ref confrontation — it all gets clipped and lives forever now. There’s something genuinely lost in that. Jeff Pearlman made a version of this argument in his Bo Jackson biography: Bo was the last folk hero, a myth partly because not everything was on camera. Hurley’s antics would have been legendary whispers in an earlier era. Now they’re Twitter content before the final buzzer. Some of his behavior reads as genuinely unbelievable in retrospect, which the constant documentation only amplifies.

O’Connor is a capable collaborator — clean, readable, gets out of the way. This isn’t Pulitzer prose and doesn’t need to be. It reads like Hurley actually sounds, which is the right call for a book like this.

Worth your time, especially if you’re in a stretch where achievement and identity have gotten too tangled up with each other.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

[Marty Monforte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book chronicles Dan Hurley’s personal and professional growth. He discusses his upbringing; time in college; coaching career and his growth as a person. It also details the University of Connecticut basketball team’s rise to a repeat, back to back NCAA champion.

Sports writer, Ian O’Connor, helped Hurley write the book. However, the book seems to be principally written by Hurley, whose writing style is distinct from O’Connor’s approach to writing. So, the book seems to be an authentic reflection of Hurley’s thoughts, opinions and experiences.

Hurley and his brother Bobby grew up liking basketball; and their father, Bob Hurley, coached 39 seasons and won 26 state championships at the high school level. So, it was natural for Dan and Bobby to pursue a coaching career. Both Bobby and Dan have been successful coaches at the division 1 level. Both are currently coaching division 1 programs.

I liked reading this book. It reminded me of my own love for basketball and college sports. I also liked reading about the University of Connecticut basketball team, which is one of the teams that I root for.

It was also interesting to read about Dan Hurley’s job offer to coach the Los Angeles Lakers. He strongly considered coaching them, but opted to stay at the University of Connecticut instead. It seems like he made the right decision. College basketball seems to be a good fit for him.

The book features some profanity and language that may offend some people. So, if people are offended by profanity, the book may not be the right choice for everyone. If you are not offended by profanity or can ignore it, you may like this book. So, my recommendation would be based on a person’s tolerance of profanity.

Nevertheless, if you like basketball or college sports, you may like this book. Also, if you like the University of Connecticut, as I do, you may like reading this book.

[Shane Sturtz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really really good book that uncovered some of the less knows about Dan Hurley. Much respect to everything he's been to.

The writing style of Ian O'Connor was flawless. So easy and simple that I flew through the book. The recency of the book made it also easy to read. I was literally at the Florida-UConn game that they lost. And a few other little fun connections for me.

Learning about his upbringing was probably the most interesting. I don't fully know about his playing career at Seton Hall. And I definitely didn't know what he really hated basketball there for a time and really struggled. But he came all the way back. Mad props.

I was aware of the media mistreatment of him and really blowing things out of proportion, in most cases. You don't really know all of the details of every story. You might think you do, but you don't.

A lot of great life lessons were consistent throughout. Being so detailed in your process and working so hard and being so competitive all resonates. But Hurley's discipline was taken to a different, championship level.

I also really like the intro to the book and hearing him mull around the idea of taking the Lakers job. And the same thing when he had to make decisions about his other coaching moves.

I definitely want to read more from O'Connor.

And definitely a newfound fan of Hurley. Not that I ever hated him or didn't care for him, but I have much more respect for him and everything he's gone through.

I didn't realize that Bobby Hurley's pro career was cut short due to a car crash and he was really lucky to survive.

[Michael Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not ones typical leadership or motivation themed book. It is the authors life story as it relates to growing up with a HOF Basketball coach dad an older brother who was exceptional through High School, college and into the NBA. Hurley bares his soul of his journey and the metal struggles through out his journey as a player and coach. In reading this I found myself asking the question how Hurley along the way did not have a complete mental breakdown. But he had various people both inside and outside the sport that were lay and professional types. Along the journey he grew in the coaching profession making several stops along the way. His current spot is UConn where he's had several NCAA National Championships. It's a book of struggles and indirectly provides tidbits to help one based on what he's gone through. You learn about the inner pressures that many feel in life in general that really affects everyone. You also hear about many of the great players he's coached through the years. I think a coach at any level might like this book as it provides insights many have felt during their tenure.

[Kyle Beacom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan Hurley is a fascinating character and entertains his audience from beginning to end. Is he off his rocker? Absolutely! However, he also has an intelligent coaching philosophy, seems to love his players whole-heartedly, and he is funny and charismatic. Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, he also lets his guard down and talks about his struggles with mental health.

Hurley takes his readers from his Jersey City roots and basketball-crazed upbringing to his two national titles in 2023 and 2024. It is an entertaining ride the whole way. I found myself devouring this one.

Some of the best lines from the book:

"He who sweats more in training bleeds less in battle." - General George Patton - p. 204

"I'm not treating Gen Z any differently. Gen Z, Gen Y, Gen Alpha, Jen Aniston. I don't care. Wok hard, be accountable, be responsible, be disciplined, don't ever make yourself bigger than the team--period. What's that go to do with which generation you come from?" - p. 273

"Coaches should be demanding, and they should make their players tougher--give them the physical and emotional armor they're going to need to survive and thrive in this world." - p. 285