Dawn Staley releases statement asking everyone to ‘turn the page’ on postgame incident with Geno Auriemma
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Dawn Staley is ready to move on from the drama surrounding her postgame incident with Geno Auriemma. The South Carolina women’s basketball coach posted a statement Tuesday saying it’s time to turn the page and close that chapter.
“With the college women’s basketball season behind us, it’s time to move forward and close the chapter on how our semifinal game with UConn ended,” Staley said in a statement posted via the South Carolina women’s basketball team.
“I spoke with Geno, and I want to be clear – I have a great deal of respect for him and what he’s meant to this game. One moment doesn’t define a career, and it doesn’t change the impact he’s had on growing women’s basketball. The standard at UConn is what it is because of him, and that’s something this game has benefited from.
“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.
“That’s always been my mission, and it’s not changing.”
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The mission is unchanged – let's grow our game pic.twitter.com/mJxqlUy6CK
— South Carolina Women's Basketball (@GamecockWBB) April 7, 2026
ESPN cameras captured a tense exchange between Staley and Auriemma after South Carolina’s win over UConn in the Final Four. Auriemma vented about waiting for a pregame handshake at midcourt before the game, though the @MarchMadnessWBB X account posted a photo of the two shaking hands, and Staley maintained that she shook hands with the UConn coaching staff before the game.
By beating UConn, Staley’s Gamecocks advanced to the women’s basketball championship game. They fell to UCLA 79-51 in Sunday’s title game.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
