'No excuse': Geno Auriemma apologizes to South Carolina after post-game confrontation with Dawn Staley
UConn women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma on Saturday issued an apology and taken full responsibility for his conduct during the closing moments of the Huskies’ season-ending loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks on Friday night.
“There’s no excuse for how I handled the end of the game vs. South Carolina. It’s unlike what I do and what our standard is here at Connecticut,” Auriemma said in a statement released by the university.
“I want to apologize to the staff and the team at South Carolina. It was uncalled for in how I reacted. The story should be how well South Carolina played, and I don’t want my actions to detract from that.”
He added: “I’ve had a great relationship with their staff, and I sincerely want to apologize to them.”
https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/04/sport/march-madness-geno-auriemma-apology
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Last edited Sun Apr 5, 2026, 12:26 PM - Edit history (1)
concerning 'character' .... (And believe me, in my impression the world of 'sports' is littered with examples where such question and judgement is more than justified) But, apart from that sort of prior prejudice ... I still come away from this particular apology ("my fault" no excuses, "I was wrong", "story should be how well South Carolina played" ..) - as a straightforward and pretty fair effort. Whatever we might think of guy regarding the rest of his history. (be that 'jerkish' or whatever. like I said - coaching - sports - one would not be terribly surprised ... )
You don't choose to see it in that light. Fair play. But - having taken a second look - I think I can continue to be comfortable with my vantage point, and take on a particular incident. Hat tip for a decent effort at making (at least partial) amends.
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