Geno Auriemma admits to blowing up at Dawn Staley: ‘I lost myself’ originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Geno Auriemma exchanged words with Dawn Staley during last Friday’s Final Four, but now he regrets his actions. The UConn coach took a step forward by releasing a statement, saying it’s time to move on.
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“This morning, Dawn Staley and I spoke about our interaction after the game last Friday. I apologized to Dawn, her staff and her team. I’ve lost more games in the Final Four than any coach in history. But Friday I lost something more important. I lost myself,” Auriemma wrote.
“Those who know me know I have nothina but respect and admiration for the game and the coaches who coach it. Dawn and her team deserved to win, and they deserved better from me.
“Women’s basketball deserved better. My university, my athletes, my former players and our fans deserved better. Dawn and I have agreed to move on, and we hope the focus will shift back to the growth in women’s basketball. The game deserves it.”
This comes after Staley released her own statement with the same tone. The two legendary coach had to be separated by their assistants during the altercation. South Carolina advanced to face UCLA in the National Championship Game, but came up short in the 79-51 blowout loss.
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For UConn, Auriemma ends his 41st season with the program without a national championship.
