Geno Auriemma, Dawn Staley engage in game-ending argument

Field Level Media|published: Fri 3rd April, 22:22 2026

Apr 3, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley react in the second half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

The rivalry between South Carolina and UConn reached new heights at the end of the teams' matchup in the Women's Final Four on Friday in Phoenix when the head coaches got into an on-court spat.

With the final seconds winding down on the Gamecocks' 62-48 victory, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley and UConn coach Geno Auriemma walked toward each other as though they were about to shake hands.

However, Auriemma didn't extend his hand, instead saying something to Staley, who reacted angrily, and the two had to be separated. Auriemma was ushered away, then soon walked back past Staley, who continued to yell at him before her staffers surrounded her and appeared to be trying to calm her.

Subsequently asked on ESPN what led to the dispute, Staley said, "I have no idea. But I'mma let you know this: I'm of integrity. I'm of integrity. So if I did something wrong to Geno, I had no idea what I did.

"I guess he thought I didn't shake his hand at the beginning of the game. I didn't know, I went down there pregame, shook everybody on his staff's hand, I don't know what he came with after the game. But hey, sometimes things get heated, we move on."

Staley later said in a press conference, "You can ask Geno the question, he's the one that initiated the conversation. I don't want what happened to dampen what we were able to accomplish today."

Auriemma told ESPN, "There were six fouls called that (third) quarter, all of 'em against us. And they've been beating the s-- out of our guys down there the entire game. Now I'm not making excuses because we haven't been able to make a shot, but this is ridiculous. Their coach rants and raves on the sideline, and calls the referees some names you don't wanna hear. And now we got six to zero, and I got a kid with a ripped jersey and (the refs) say, 'I didn't see it.'"

Staley, 55, has the Gamecocks (36-3) one win away from their third NCAA championship in four years and her fourth as the program's head coach.

Auriemma, 72, is the NCAA's all-time winningest basketball coach. He has led the Huskies to 12 national titles, with the most recent one coming last year. UConn took its first loss of this season on Friday, ending the campaign 38-1.

--Field Level Media

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