Geno Auriemma and the No. 1 seed Connecticut Huskies were bounced out of the NCAA Tournament on Friday, falling 62-48 to Dawn Staley and the No. 1 seed South Carolina Gamecocks. After a tremendous regular season in which the UConn women went undefeated, along with dominant double-digit victories in the first four tournament games, Geno's championship dreams ended abruptly in the Final Four.
Connecticut, which relied on sophomore forward Sarah Strong and senior guard Azzi Fudd all season, faced troubles throughout the Final Four game. Strong and Fudd combined to go 7-of-31 from the field for a disappointing 22.5% field goal percentage. The Gamecocks were led by senior guard Ta'Niya Latson, who finished with a team-high 16 points and 11 rebounds.
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Auriemma is one of the most prominent faces in women's college basketball. He arrived at Storrs in 1985 to lead a Huskies team that had only one winning season in its program history before his arrival. By the 1994-95 season, Auriemma's dynasty began to bud, securing his first national championship and undefeated season behind the brilliant play of center Rebecca Lobo.
Since then, Auriemma and his Huskies have been the most dominant program in women's college basketball. Auriemma is in a class of his own in terms of dominance, securing 12 total championships, including six undefeated seasons (no other program has more than one). He has been recognized with the Naismith Coach of the Year award eight times and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
Fresh off a dispiriting exit after his 25th Final Four appearance, Auriemma announced his career plans. In speaking with the Athletic, the Hall of Fame coach announced that he will return to the hardwood to coach the Huskies for the 2026-27 season.
"Putting an end to any retirement rumors," The Athletic wrote on X. "UConn coach Geno Auriemma confirmed to The Athletic he plans to return next season. The Huskies will return with national championship aspirations once again, led by Sarah Strong."
Auriemma is in the middle of a five-year contract that runs through April 2029.
