Dawn Staley Says She Has Not Heard from UConn's Geno Auriemma

Staley wants the focus to remain on UCLA's national championship victory

Apr. 6, 2026 at 12:07am

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South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley stated that she had not received a direct apology from UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma after their teams' heated exchange during the Final Four matchup. Auriemma had issued a public apology the day after the incident, but Staley said she has not heard from him directly. Staley quickly redirected the conversation to celebrating UCLA's national championship win, saying she does not want to dampen their achievement.

Why it matters

The heated exchange between Staley and Auriemma during the Final Four game sparked widespread criticism of Auriemma's behavior. Staley's comments indicate the tension between the two coaches remains unresolved, raising questions about sportsmanship and leadership in women's college basketball.

The details

During the third-quarter intermission of Friday's Final Four game, Auriemma delivered an explicit sideline interview to ESPN's Holly Rowe, criticizing the foul discrepancy between South Carolina and UConn, as well as Staley's conduct toward the officiating crew. Auriemma continued to target Staley in his post-game press conference, alleging that the South Carolina coach left him waiting during a pre-game handshake. Staley has since stated that she believes Auriemma's post-game behavior detracted from her team's tremendous defensive performance against UConn.

  • On April 4, 2026, Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley had a heated exchange during the Final Four matchup between UConn and South Carolina.
  • On April 5, 2026, Auriemma issued a public apology for his behavior, but did not mention Staley by name.
  • On April 6, 2026, Staley stated that she has not heard a direct apology from Auriemma.

The players

Dawn Staley

The head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team.

Geno Auriemma

The head coach of the UConn Huskies women's basketball team, known for his success and sometimes controversial behavior.

UCLA Bruins

The team that won the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship, defeating South Carolina in the final game.

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What they’re saying

“That's a Geno question, right? It really is a Geno question. I haven't heard from Geno, so... I have not. I got 800 text messages. I don't know if he texted or not.”

— Dawn Staley, Head Coach, South Carolina Gamecocks

“We're not going to damper UCLA's day with it. Talk about South Carolina, us losing, and talk about UCLA winning the national championship, and what's great about our game today.”

— Dawn Staley, Head Coach, South Carolina Gamecocks

What’s next

It remains to be seen if Geno Auriemma will reach out directly to Dawn Staley to apologize for his behavior. The two coaches' relationship and sportsmanship will likely continue to be a topic of discussion in the women's basketball community.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the intense rivalries and emotions that can arise in high-stakes college basketball, and the importance of coaches setting an example of professionalism and respect, even in the heat of competition. Staley's focus on celebrating UCLA's achievement shows her commitment to moving the conversation in a more positive direction.