Geno Auriemma releases statement apologizing to Dawn Staley, South Carolina
By Ethan Stone
Published:
UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina’s Dawn Staley got into a heated argument on the court following South Carolina’s win over UConn in the Final Four on Friday.
Auriemma, whose team had just lost 62-48, claims that the outburst stemmed from Staley not shaking hands with Auriemma during the pregame walkthrough, despite the fact that Auriemma and Staley are photographed shaking hands pregame. Auriemma also said this to Holly Rowe following the exchanging of words:
“There were 6 fouls called that quarter. All of ’em against us,” Auriemma said. “And they’ve been beating the sh*t out of our guys down there the entire game… This is ridiculous. Their coach rants and raves on the sideline, and calls the referees some names you don’t wanna hear.”
Here’s a look at the incident:
After a few days of reflection, Auriemma appears to have come to the conclusion that his actions were unacceptable. He released the following apology, insisting he called Staley to personally apologize for his outburst.
South Carolina fell to UCLA in the national championship game, unable to hang around with a Bruins squad that finished its title-winning season with just one loss.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
