Final Four 2026: Geno Auriemma apologizes to South Carolina players, staff: 'It was uncalled for in how I reacted'
Auriemma had words for Dawn Staley during and after the national semifinal, including in the game's final moments.
Geno Auriemma issued a statement Saturday, apologizing to South Carolina players and staffers less than 24 hours removed from his clash with Dawn Staley and a 62-48 defeat in the Final Four that spoiled a potential perfect season for his UConn Huskies. “There’s no excuse for how I handled the end of the game vs. South Carolina,” Auriemma said in the statement .
“It’s unlike what I do and what our standard is here at Connecticut. I want to apologize to the staff and the team at South Carolina. It was uncalled for in how I reacted.
” Auriemma added: “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. ” Auriemma notably didn’t mention Staley by name in the statement.
Statement from Head Coach Geno Auriemma pic. twitter. com/q8La6lMqN6 — UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) April 4, 2026 This story is being updated.