ADVERTISEMENT

Former UConn Huskies strength coach Sal Alosi sues school in dispute with Dan Hurley

Halldan1

Moderator
Moderator
Jan 1, 2003
185,669
98,046
113

Associated Press

A former strength coach for UConn's men's basketball team has sued the school, claiming his contract wasn't renewed after he refused demands from coach Dan Hurley that he violate NCAA guidelines and school COVID-19 protocols.

A hearing was held Thursday in Rockville Superior Court on a motion by the school to dismiss the lawsuit filed by former strength coach Sal Alosi seeking unspecified monetary damages.

UConn's attorneys argue that the lawsuit, which was filed in December, is improper because Alosi has not exhausted the proper administrative channels to contest his ouster last summer.

UConn spokesman Pat McKenna said there is "absolutely no truth" to Alosi's allegations. "Beyond that we are unable to comment on this personnel matter," he said.

Alosi alleges he was told he was being replaced last June after butting heads with Hurley, who he said wanted his players to be bigger and stronger and asked Alosi to do things he was not comfortable with in order to achieve that objective.

Specifically, he alleges Hurley asked him to hold virtual workouts with players and later return to the weight room in violation of NCAA guidelines as well as the school's own coronavirus protocols.

Alosi said he told Hurley that NCAA COVID-19 regulations did not allow him to hold virtual workouts with players because he could not ensure the presence of a staff member with CPR training or an automated external defibrillator.

"Coach Hurley questioned Alosi's commitment and whether Alosi wanted to remain employed at UConn," the lawsuit states. "Alosi reiterated his commitment, but reemphasized that he was concerned about rule violations and student-athlete safety."

The lawsuit alleges the situation came to a head when UConn was developing plans for players to return to campus last summer and insisted Alosi train the basketball players indoors, "when the weather permitted the much safer alternative of outdoor training."

"Coach Hurley responded adamantly that the basketball team was not going to follow UConn's COVID Sports Training Guidelines, and that [athletic director David] Benedict was already in agreement," according to the lawsuit.

Alosi was hired as director of human performance at UConn in May 2018, shortly after Hurley was hired as coach.

He was previously the strength coach at UCLA, where he made headlines after being involved in an altercation with entertainer Sean "P. Diddy" Combs. He also made news in 2010 as strength coach for the New York Jets, when he was fined $25,000 for tripping a Miami Dolphins player from the sideline.

Superior Court Judge James Sicilian did not immediately rule Thursday on UConn's motion to dismiss the case.
 
  • Like
Reactions: anon_ezos2e9wn1ob0
HA ... I remember the sideline trip. The guy has a point but for some reason I do not think the kids safety was the only thing behind this debate.


 
Certainly could be more here than meets the eye. Of course the above is just one side of the story.

Sounds like two hot heads who can't get along.
 
From what I have heard, the strength coach may have had some instances of making inappropriate/questionable postings on social media that spurred the school into wanting to distance themselves from him. Total heresay at the moment as I'm not spending the time to research this, but that's one theory floating around out there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CL82
From what I have heard, the strength coach may have had some instances of making inappropriate/questionable postings on social media that spurred the school into wanting to distance themselves from him. Total heresay at the moment as I'm not spending the time to research this, but that's one theory floating around out there.

And that both he and the coach are nuts
 
Another question that has surfaced publicly concerning improper practices related to the UConn’s men’s basketball program which has resulted in litigation by a former employee . This litigation will probably be sent back to UConn for resolution under the school’s own procedures for dealing with terminated employees and don’t expect to see a quick decision one way or the other.
 
Another question that has surfaced publicly concerning improper practices related to the UConn’s men’s basketball program which has resulted in litigation by a former employee . This litigation will probably be sent back to UConn for resolution under the school’s own procedures for dealing with terminated employees and don’t expect to see a quick decision one way or the other.
News to me. Who are you talking about?
 
Last edited:
Type A personality is right. He should have negotiated a glowing letter of recommendation so that he could actually work again.
 
Im sure Hurley isn't blameless here.. But the strength guy has had 3 high-profile issues at 3 different jobs. Where there's smoke there's fire.
 
  • Like
Reactions: papacheesy2

Ex-UConn strength coach Sal Alosi: Dan Hurley asked me to break COVID rules​

By Associated Press

sal-alosi-uconn-dan-hurley.jpg

Enlarge Image
UConn

Sal Alosi and Dan Hurley
Jeff Zelevansky

A former strength coach for UConn’s men’s basketball team has sued the school, claiming his contract wasn’t renewed after he refused demands from coach Dan Hurley that he violate NCAA guidelines and school COVID-19 protocols.

A hearing was held Thursday in Rockville Superior Court on a motion by the school to dismiss the lawsuit filed by former strength coach Sal Alosi seeking unspecified monetary damages.

UConn’s attorneys argue the lawsuit, which was filed in December, is improper because Alosi has not exhausted the proper administrative channels to contest his ouster last summer.

UConn spokesman Pat McKenna said there is “absolutely no truth” to Alosi’s allegations. “Beyond that we are unable to comment on this personnel matter,” he said.

Alosi alleges he was told he was being replaced last June after butting heads with Hurley, who he said wanted his players to be bigger and stronger and asked Alosi to do things he was not comfortable with in order to achieve that objective.

Specifically, he alleges Hurley asked him to hold virtual workouts with players and later return to the weight room in violation of NCAA guidelines as well as the school’s own coronavirus protocols.

Alosi said he told Hurley that NCAA COVID-19 regulations did not allow him to hold virtual workouts with players because he could not ensure the presence of a staff member with CPR training or an automated external defibrillator.

“Coach Hurley questioned Alosi’s commitment and whether Alosi wanted to remain employed at UConn,” the lawsuit states. “Alosi reiterated his commitment, but reemphasized that he was concerned about rule violations and student-athlete safety.”

The lawsuit alleges the situation came to a head when UConn was developing plans for players to return to campus last summer and insisted Alosi train the basketball players indoors, “when the weather permitted the much safer alternative of outdoor training.”

“Coach Hurley responded adamantly that the basketball team was not going to follow UConn’s COVID Sports Training Guidelines, and that (athletic director David) Benedict was already in agreement,” according to the lawsuit.

Alosi was hired as director of human performance at UConn in May 2018, shortly after Hurley was hired as coach.

He was previously the strength coach at UCLA, where he made headlines after being involved in an altercation with entertainer Sean “P. Diddy” Combs. He also made news in 2010 as strength coach for the New York Jets, when he was fined $25,000 for tripping a Miami Dolphins player from the sideline.

Superior Court Judge James Sicilian did not immediately rule Thursday on UConn’s motion to dismiss the case.
 
Seems unlikely since he was a noted COVID denier and didn't believe in masks. He's going have a tough time reconciling that claim with Twitter posts.
 
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT