UConn’s Geno Auriemma admits regret over shouting match with South Carolina’s Dawn Staley after loss

Geno Auriemma has 11 national championships, but the UConn legend admitted he acted like a complete rookie in his last Final Four appearance.

Speaking from the UConn campus, Auriemma finally addressed that viral shouting match with South Carolina’s Dawn Staley.

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In case you missed the scene in Phoenix…

Auriemma decided to confront Staley in the final moments of the 62-48 loss. He was apparently fed up with South Carolina’s physical play and lack of the customary whistles, even going so far as to claim Staley belittled him during the pregame handshake.

Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks argues with Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies during the second half of the NCAA Women’s Final Four semifinal game at the Mortgage Matchup Center on April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos/Getty Images)

Staley shrugged off the situation with the confidence of someone who knew he had a better team.

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“I talk to a lot of coaches before the game,” Staley told reporters, essentially giving Geno the “I’m not even thinking about you” treatment. “I thought I was doing what I normally do.”

Fast forward to Monday, and the Hall of Famer seems to have realized the optics aren’t so good.

Auriemma admitted to the media: “Sometimes you do things out of the blue, but they usually come from things that have been building up for a while.”

“When I walk into the locker room afterward, you’re shaking your head for five more seconds, couldn’t you hold it in for five more seconds? I feel like an idiot — the way it’s going. We’re all human and we all do stupid things…”

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“I wish I could take those five seconds back,” he added. “But it doesn’t work that way.”

For Auriemma, maybe spend less time dissecting the handshake movie and more time on how not to skip the gym by Dawn Staley.

TAMPA, FLORIDA – APRIL 06: UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma celebrates with the net after winning the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament National Championship by defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks 82-59 at Amalie Arena on April 06, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) ((Photo: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images))

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