Drake University revealed this week that Dylan Hurley has accepted a graduate‑assistant role on the women's basketball coaching staff, effective immediately as the program enters its summer training period.
Hurley arrives with a distinctive blend of competitive playing experience and hands‑on coaching exposure, qualities that have been sharpened across several Midwestern institutions.
From Player to Coach: Hurley’s Path
His collegiate playing career began at Iowa Wesleyan, where he helped the team post a 27‑win season, capture a conference championship and secure a berth in the national tournament.
At Cornell College he earned Second Team All‑Midwest Conference honors and was recognized with both Offensive Most Valuable Player and Newcomer of the Year awards.
A Productive Stint at Daemen University
During the 2025‑26 season Hurley served as a graduate assistant at Daemen University, contributing to a campaign that culminated in a Sweet Sixteen appearance and set a new D‑II win record for the program.
His efforts also helped Daemen pursue regular‑season and conference‑tournament titles, underscoring his capacity to influence winning cultures.
The Bulldogs' roster includes Allison Pohlman, and the new coaching addition is expected to complement the existing talent as the team fine‑tunes its strategy ahead of the upcoming season.
Athletic leadership at Drake has voiced confidence that Hurley's background will reinforce the program's momentum, blending fresh insights with the university's established basketball traditions.