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UConn coach Geno Auriemma confronted South Carolina’s Dawn Staley moments after the Huskies’ upset loss in last week’s Final Four.
Despite the apology from Auriemma, who did not name Staley, talks about the heated exchange continued into last Sunday’s national championship game between UCLA and South Carolina.
After the Bruins’ dominant title game victory over the Gamecocks, Staley praised UCLA coach Cori Close as a “really quality person,” a comment that contrasted sharply with her initial response to Auriemma following their on-court dispute.
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South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley and UConn head coach Geno Auriemma argue after a semifinal game of the NCAA women’s college basketball tournament at the Final Four in Phoenix on April 3, 2026. (Rick Scuteri/AP)
Staley attempted to defuse the situation Tuesday, saying he had spoken with Auriemma and praising her legacy in women’s basketball.
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“I spoke with Geno and I want to be clear: I have great respect for him and what he means to this game. One moment does not define a career and it does not change the impact he has had on the growth of women’s basketball. The standard at UConn is what it is because of him, and that is something this game has benefited from.”
Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks watches during the first half of the NCAA women’s basketball championship game against the UCLA Bruins at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 5, 2026. (Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos)
Staley also called for a change in approach, encouraging fans and the broader basketball community to move forward.
“Therefore, I ask everyone to turn the page. Let’s get back to focusing on what matters most: continuing to elevate our game, create opportunities and drive it forward.
“That’s always been my mission and it’s not going to change.”
South Carolina beat UConn 62-48 in last Friday’s national semifinal. Auriemma approached Staley for a routine handshake after the game, but the moment escalated and the two had to separate.
Auriemma initially adopted a defiant tone when asked about the exchange, although he later said his behavior was inexcusable.
UConn head coach Geno Auriemma reacts to a play during the first half of an NCAA college basketball tournament Sweet 16 game against North Carolina in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 27, 2026. (Julio Cortez/AP Photo)
“There is no excuse for how I handled the end of the game against South Carolina. It is different than what I do and our standard here in Connecticut,” the Hall of Fame coach said in a statement. “I want to apologize to the South Carolina staff and team. How I reacted wasn’t necessary. The story should be how well South Carolina played, and I don’t want my actions to detract from that. I’ve had a great relationship with their staff and I sincerely want to apologize to them.”
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Staley previously said he had not spoken to Auriemma after Sunday’s women’s national championship game. He led South Carolina to the national title in 2024 before falling to Auriemma in last year’s championship.
