Geno Auriamma’s UConn Huskies lost 48-62 to Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four on Friday. The emotions were running high. The two coaches engaged in a war of words after the game, and part of what Staley said was caught on camera.
During the post-game handshake, Geno appeared to say something to Dawn, which led to a heated exchange between the two. It was not clear what Geno actually said, but some of what Dawn said was heard clearly.
Geno Auriemma had to be held back by the surrounding coaching staff and the officials, so that the matter wouldn’t escalate. As Dawn shouted a few words in frustration after what Geno said, some of it was audible.
“I would beat Geno’s a**. I would beat Geno’s a**. I would beat his a**,” Dawn shouted as she walked up and down the sideline frantically.
Whatever Geno said clearly upset Staley. She was visibly hurt by it. There is a lot of respect between the two coaches. Dawn has always looked up to Geno, who has returned that respect.
During the game, Geno had complained about Dawn “ranting and raving” and calling referees words that “nobody wants to hear” after the third quarter. During the third quarter, Sarah Strong ripped her jersey in frustration. Geno was still furious about the 6-0 foul call run in favor of South Carolina.
What did Dawn Staley say after a heated exchange with Geno Auriemma?
Dawn Staley was quite clueless after the game about why Geno Auriemma reacted the way he did. She said that she had no idea what she had done to make Auriemma mad. Emotions were still running high as Dawn was teary-eyed in the interview.
She suspected that Auriemma thought she had ignored a handshake at the start of the game and disrespected Geno. However, she went on to clarify that she had gone before the game and shook everyone’s hands. Dawn took the high road and said that sometimes things can get heated, and it’s better to move on.
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Teary-Eyed Dawn Staley Reacts After Heated Exchange With Geno Auriemma on the Sidelines
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