Apr 3, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma reacts during the first half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
By Matt Yoder on

The Connecticut Huskies lost their undefeated season to the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four and head coach Geno Auriemma did not handle it well.

UConn were heavy favorites entering the game, but Dawn Staley’s team emerged victorious in a 62-48 victory. Auriemma was bursting at the seems throughout the game and exploded during his in-game interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe.

During the interview he complained about not just the referees, but also called out his rival coach for her language towards the referees as well.

If it looked like Auriemma was about to undergo a volcanic eruption at that point, it was nothing compared to what happened after the game. After three quarters, UConn was still trailing by just five points. However, they were outscored 18-9 in the final period. And in what was supposed to be a postgame handshake, the two coaches got into a blowup on the sidelines and had to be separated with just a few tenths of a second on the clock.

After the game, ESPN analysts Andraya Carter and Chiney Ogwumike criticized Geno Auriemma for his behavior throughout the game and afterwards in his interaction with Dawn Staley. Some of his claims, like South Carolina players ripping the jersey of star player Sarah Strong, were found to be inaccurate. They both mentioned how shocking it was to see a coach so accomplished completely lose his composure like that on the sport’s biggest stage.

And on social media, Auriemma was condemned unanimously across the sports media and women’s basketball universe for his behavior and temper tantrum on the sidelines.

After the game, Geno Auriemma tried to explain his actions and frustration by saying that Dawn Staley made him wait too long for a pregame handshake. Or that she didn’t come to shake his hand a second time. If that’s all it took for him to completely lose his mind and crash out at the Final Four, then it’s a stunning admission of just how much she and the South Carolina program are in his head.

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