UConn coach Geno Auriemma has to be pulled back from South Carolina coach Dawn Staley during heated moment in loss to Gamecocks
"They've been beating the s**t out of our guys down there the entire game."
Geno Auriemma even called out Dawn Staley during his interview before the fourth quarter on Friday night. (Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) Ben Solomon via Getty Images Geno Auriemma was not happy with his South Carolina counterpart on Friday night in Phoenix. Auriemma had to be pulled away from Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley in the final seconds of UConn’s 62-48 loss to South Carolina after a very heated moment on the sidelines.
With less than a full second left on the clock during a stoppage, Auriemma walked over to shake Staley’s hand on the sideline. Auriemma said something to Staley, which clearly wasn’t well received. Auriemma had to actually be pulled away from Staley as officials and other assistants rushed in to separate the coaches.
Staley and Auriemma kept talking as he was walked back to his bench for the final moment of the game, and Staley looked livid as others rushed in to make sure the two coaches were kept apart. Eventually, as the buzzer sounded on South Carolina’s win, Auriemma walked off the floor into the tunnel on his own. Geno Auriemma exchanged words with Dawn Staley in the final seconds of South Carolina and UConn’s Final Four matchup.
pic. twitter. com/S6anlPKqwe — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 4, 2026 "I have no idea [what happened],” Staley said on ESPN after the game.
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