*South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley is publicly closing the door on her dispute with UConn’s Geno Auriemma, releasing a statement Tuesday asking fans to move past the controversy that spilled into the open during the Final Four, the New York Post reports.
The friction between the two coaches became a viral flashpoint after South Carolina knocked out UConn in the semifinals. Reports indicated that Auriemma was angered by what he viewed as Staley not extending a handshake before tip-off, and that tension boiled over visibly during their postgame exchange on the court, with the footage quickly taking over social media feeds.
In her statement, Staley confirmed she had connected with Auriemma personally and made a point of recognizing his place in the sport. “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,” she said. She also gave him credit for building women’s basketball into what it is today, noting, “The standard at UConn is what it is because of him, and that’s something this game has benefited from.”
Rather than dwelling on the incident, Staley pointed toward what comes next. “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,” she said. “That’s always been my mission, and it’s not changing.”
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The statement came on the heels of South Carolina’s title game defeat to UCLA. Speaking to reporters afterward, Staley acknowledged she had not yet received any outreach from Auriemma.
Auriemma subsequently released a public apology, conceding that his conduct was out of character. “I want to apologize to the staff and the team at South Carolina. It was uncalled for in how I reacted,” he said.
The mission is unchanged – let’s grow our game ? pic.twitter.com/mJxqlUy6CK
— South Carolina Women’s Basketball (@GamecockWBB) April 7, 2026
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Crushed by UCLA 79-51 for First Women’s Basketball Title | WATCH
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