PHOENIX — UConn coach Geno Auriemma issued an apology Saturday after his fiery interaction with South Carolina coach Dawn Staley overshadowed the Gamecocks’ Final Four win.
Auriemma said there was “no excuse” for his emotional outburst.
“It’s unlike what I do and what our standard is here at Connecticut,” Auriemma said in a statement. “I want to apologize to the staff and the team at South Carolina. It was uncalled for in how I reacted.”
Auriemma approached Staley moments before the horn sounded on South Carolina’s 62-48 win that advanced the Gamecocks to their fourth national championship game in five years.
Staley appeared to be caught off guard when Auriemma accused her of not shaking his hand pregame in a timely manner.
The moment got heated, with Staley firing back at Auriemma and the two coaches had to be separated by their staffs and officials.
Auriemma also expressed frustration with the officiating.
“I’m of the opinion that if I ever talk to an official like that, I would get tossed,” he said. “So I just want to make sure there’s not a double standard.”
He also took issue with Sarah Strong having a ripped jersey, though cameras showed the UConn forward tearing it in frustration herself.
In a postgame interview, Auriemma defended his actions — even doubling down when pressed about holes in his stories.
Less than 12 hours later, Auriemma is now saying sorry to South Carolina’s staff, though it’s not immediately clear if he’s spoken directly with Staley, who wasn’t named in his statement.
“The story should be how well South Carolina played and I don’t want my actions to detract from that,” Auriemma said. “I’ve had a great relationship with their staff, and I sincerely want to apologize to them.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.