UConn Coach Geno Auriemma Issues Official Statement After Agreement With Dawn Staley

South Carolina Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley has urged the public to move on from the controversial, unpleasant confrontation she had with UConn Huskies coach Geno Auriemma, downplaying it as an off guard moment fueled by their passion for the game.

The pair got into a heated argument after their Final Four encounter that the Gamecocks won. The Huskies entered the tournament as the most dominant team, earning the No. 1 seed after going undefeated in the regular season.

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The shouting match between the two stems from the pre-game handshake. Auriemma said post-game that he was frustrated with the Gamecocks’ coaching staff for taking too long on the pre-game handshake.

Staley shielded Auriemma from criticism, saying what happened should not diminish his contributions to women’s basketball, nor should it define the decorated veteran coach.

“The standard at UConn is what it is because of him, and that’s something this game has benefited from,” part of Staley’ statement reads.

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“So, I’m asking everyone to turn the page. Let’s refocus on what matters most — continuing to elevate our game, creating opportunities and pushing it forward.”

Auriemma followed Staley’s lead. The 12-time NCAA champion coach released a statement of his own after the Gamecocks coach issued hers. The Huskies coach said he spoke with Staley and apologized to her and her staff. He acknowledged that he could have handled things better and, like Staley, urged the public to focus on growing women’s basketball instead.

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“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.”