Geno Auriemma apologizes again for Dawn Staley dustup: ‘I lost myself’

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma issued a second apology for his actions after the Huskies’ loss to South Carolina, specifically naming Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley and saying that she “deserved better from me.” 

Auriemma and Staley had gotten into a heated confrontation during the closing seconds of their women’s Final Four game on Friday. 

Auriemma made some sort of comments as the two walked toward each other for the postgame handshake and started a verbal confrontation between the two coaches, who had to be separated. 

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley and UConn head coach Geno Auriemma argue after the Gamecocks’ win over the Huskies in their women’s Final Four game on April 3, 2026. AP

“This morning, Dawn Staley and I spoke about our interaction after the game last Friday. I apologized to Dawn, her staff and her team,” Auriemma said in a statement issued by UConn. I’ve lost more games in the Final Four than any coach in history. But on Friday I lost something more important. I lost myself.

“Those who know me know I have nothing but respect and admiration for the game and the coaches who coach it. Dawn and her team deserved to win, and they deserved better from me.

“Women’s basketball deserved better. My university, my athletes, my former players and our fans deserved better. Dawn and I have agreed to move on, and we hope the focus will shift back to the growth in women’s basketball. The game deserves it.”

The UConn coach had originally issued an apology on Saturday to the South Carolina staff. 

Staley had withheld comment over the incident to keep the focus on the game, but did ultimately address it on Tuesday, a few days after South Carolina fell to UCLA in the national championship game. 

Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma reacts to a South Carolina basket during their Final Four loss to the Gamecocks on April 3, 2026. Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“I spoke with Geno, and I want to be clear — I have a great deal of respect for him and what he’s meant to this game,” she said in a statement released by South Carolina. “One moment doesn’t define a career, and it doesn’t change the impact he’s had on growing women’s basketball. The standard at UConn is what it is because of him, and that’s something this game has benefited from. 

“So, I’m asking everyone to turn the page. Let’s refocus on what matters most — continuing to elevate our game, creating opportunities and pushing it forward.”