The Philadelphia Eagles claimed their second Super Bowl title in franchise history on Sunday, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX. Their dominant performance sparked celebrations among fans, including one of the biggest names in women’s college basketball, Geno Auriemma.
Geno Auriemma Celebrates Eagles’ Super Bowl Victory in Style
Geno Auriemma, UConn’s head coach and a lifelong Eagles supporter, made his fandom clear during Monday’s by showing off his team spirit in a bold way. One of the most respected figures in women’s college basketball, Auriemma has been an Eagles fan since childhood.
Born in Italy, his family moved to Norristown, Penn., a Philadelphia suburb where he grew up. His deep connection to the team made their latest championship victory even more special.
During UConn’s practice on Feb. 10, Auriemma proudly sported an Eagles jersey, embracing the team’s Super Bowl victory. The UConn women’s basketball Instagram account shared a photo of the coach walking around the practice court in the jersey, captioned, “The only green we allow at practice.”
The jersey number he wore—26—was a notable choice. While it was unclear whose name was on the back, No. 26 is the number worn by Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley. It appeared to be a throwback-style jersey, leaving fans guessing if it was indeed a Barkley tribute.
Auriemma wasn’t the only college basketball coach celebrating the Eagles’ win. South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley also showed her excitement, posting a video on X of herself dancing in a giant Eagles hat.
🫣🫣🫣🤣🤣🤣🤭🤭🤭👹👹👹 pic.twitter.com/Lj1xL4CByh
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) February 10, 2025
Another devout Eagles fan, Staley celebrated just hours after her own team’s loss to Texas. The enthusiasm of both coaches highlights the deep connection many in the sports world have to their roots.
Auriemma Reaches 1,400 Career Games Coached
While Auriemma’s Super Bowl celebration stole the spotlight, he also reached an impressive coaching milestone. UConn’s 77-40 win over Providence marked the 1,400th coached game of his career. This achievement places him fourth all-time among women’s college basketball coaches.
Auriemma has led UConn for 40 seasons, building one of the most successful programs in the history of the sport. Under his leadership, the Huskies have secured 28 regular-season conference titles, 23 Final Four appearances, and 11 national championships. His impact on the sport is undeniable.
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With 1,400 games under his belt, Auriemma follows legendary coaches such as Tara VanDerveer (1,487 games), C. Vivian Stringer (1,481 games), and Sylvia Hatchell (1,428 games).
VanDerveer, the all-time leader, coached at Stanford, Ohio State, and Idaho. Stringer made her mark at Rutgers, Iowa, and Cheyney State, while Hatchell’s coaching career included stints at North Carolina and Francis Marion. The Huskies’ next challenge comes on Wednesday, Feb. 12, when the Huskies host St. John’s at Gampel Pavilion.
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