:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59203817/usa_today_9723765.0.jpg)
The first member of Dan Hurley’s UConn staff is in place as Tom Moore joins the coach in Storrs from Rhode Island.
“I’m really thrilled to have the opportunity to join Dan and return to UConn,” Moore said. “Since I first arrived here in the fall of 1994, having the good fortune to work under a Hall of Fame coach in Jim Calhoun, UConn basketball has always been extremely special to me.”
Moore spent 13 seasons as a coach under Jim Calhoun, the last two as associate head coach. For a time, he was viewed as the heir to Calhoun before taking the the head coaching job at Quinnipiac. He spent 10 years with the Bobcats before joining Hurley’s staff at URI last season.
“Tom’s coaching experience overall, but especially his association with UConn, will be a tremendous asset as we start this journey,” Hurley said in the release. “His strong, longtime ties to high school and AAU programs in New England and throughout the Northeast are invaluable as we try to recruit talented student-athletes of high character. Tom was a big part of the success we enjoyed this past season and I’m confident we can bring the same kind of enthusiasm and excitement to Storrs. I’m delighted to have him join the staff.”
During his first tenure at UConn from 1994-2007, Moore was a top recruiter on Calhoun’s staff and is crediting for helping bring in the likes of Ray Allen, Rip Hamilton, Emeka Okafor and Rudy Gay, among other stars.
The assistant coach was also an integral part of getting Hurley to UConn as Moore gave him insight and advice about the program while the head coach made his decision.
Hurley still needs to find a second assistant coach as well as an associate head coach. The former will likely be filled soon according to the job posting while the associate job might depend on whether or not David Cox gets the head coaching job at Rhode Island.