Geno Auriemma 'lost' himself in Dawn Staley tiff, his new apology says
Geno Auriemma has finally apologized to Dawn Staley directly for Friday's altercation.
UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma has delivered another apology for his heated exchange with South Carolina coach Dawn Staley at the end of Friday's Final Four game in Phoenix. Auriemma and Staley's tense back-and-forth dominated the game itself, and the UConn coach apologized for what happened on Saturday without directly mentioning Staley's name . On Tuesday evening, Auriemma changed his approach and said he apologized to Staley directly for his conduct in the two's fiery exchange right at the end of South Carolina's win.
"I've lost more games in the Final Four than any coach in history," Auriemma wrote. "But Friday I lost something more important. I lost myself.
" Statement from Head Coach Geno Auriemma pic. twitter. com/Ocrc2nF2UP — UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) April 8, 2026 Along with Staley's Tuesday statement about her conversation with Auriemma , it sounds like both sides are ready to put this incident behind them.
However, we know the next UConn-South Carolina game will be must-watch TV. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Geno Auriemma gives new apology to Dawn Staley after Final Four tiff