South Carolina coach Dawn Staley has publicly addressed her incident with Geno Auriemma after last week’s Final Four game.
Staley released a statement urging everyone to “turn the page” on the incident in which Auriemma berated Staley after the Gamecocks’ 62-48 win over UConn. She ended by urging everyone to focus on growing the sport instead of fixating on an alleged feud.
“I spoke with Geno, and I want to be clear — I have a great deal of respect for him and what he’s meant to this game,” Staley said. “One moment doesn’t define a career, and it doesn’t change the impact he’s had on growing women’s basketball. The standard at UConn is what it is because of him, and that’s something this game has benefited from.”
The mission is unchanged – let's grow our game 🫡 pic.twitter.com/mJxqlUy6CK
— South Carolina Women's Basketball (@GamecockWBB) April 7, 2026
Auriemma was widely criticized for his treatment of Staley, who he claimed snubbed him prior to the game. While the UConn coach later issued an apology, it avoided mentioning Staley by name, drawing further criticism.
Staley avoided giving the controversy any more oxygen while her team was still alive, but spoke out after the Gamecocks were blown out by UCLA in the championship game. She is clearly ready to put the incident behind her.
