Giddy-Up, Geno! Auriemma dances UConn women's basketball back into Final Four
UConn coach Geno Auriemma celebrated his team's Elite Eight win with a cowboy hat and dance moves, surprising his players.
FORT WORTH, TX ― UConn Huskies coach Geno Auriemma is dancing his way to his 25th Final Four appearance. After beating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish , 70-52 , at Dickies Arena, UConn broke out in celebration. On the court in front of hundreds of faithful Huskies fans, who stayed to watch the Fort Worth regional trophy ceremony and confetti falling, Auriemma and his players changed into some commemorative gear.
As the players put on the customary Final Four hats and T-shirts, Auriemma outshone them all with a cowboy hat. The hat, which was a custom gift to the Huskies , was emblazoned with UConn logo. With their hands in the air, mimicking a lasso, the Huskies encouraged their coach to put on the headwear and he happily obliged.
Then, Auriemma did something he's not typically known for and danced. His moves mimicked a cowboy telling his horse to "giddy up," patting his side in pure jubilation, the longer he danced. "Seeing him excited and kind of goofy is really good for us, because, I don't know, he's not usually like that," Sarah Strong said postgame.
"He's usually all serious or like anxious, grumpy. Just seeing him let loose and be his true self was really good. " "I thought that the cowboy hat looked pretty good on him.