Why hasn't Geno Auriemma retired at UConn? His answer might surprise you
What keeps you going?
It couldn’t have been the first time someone asked Geno Auriemma this question, but my query still triggered a moment of contemplation from UConn's legendary coach when we spoke last month.
Auriemma almost always has answers – to reporters’ questions, to roster building, to coaching situations.
This particular question, though, stumped him.
"That’s a great question,” Auriemma told me, "because I can’t answer it.”
Auriemma will turn 71 years old during March Madness. He owns 11 national championship rings, three Olympic gold medals, and he’s a central figure alongside Pat Summitt on the Mount Rushmore of women’s basketball coaches. He’s college basketball’s all-time winningest coach. He’s got nothing left to prove, but he’s still proving hard to beat.
SURVIVOR POOL:Can your picks survive March Madness? Join our Survivor Pool to find out
UConn (31-3) earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, into which it brings a 10-game win streak. Auriemma is six wins shy of 1,250 for his career. It takes six victories to win the NCAA Tournament. Just saying.
"I’ve tried to look at all the reasons why people do step away. It’s certainly past my prime, to be honest with you,” Auriemma told me in February.
“I never set out to be doing this, period, and certainly never set out to be here for 40 years. To answer that question: I don’t know. I don’t know. I enjoy what I’m doing, to a point. I enjoy the competition. I enjoy the preparation that goes into it. I don’t enjoy a lot of what’s going on right now, and I think a lot of my contemporaries have seen where it’s going and don’t want any part of it. I’m sure I’ll get there at some point – just not right now.”
Interpret Auriemma’s answer however you like, but I didn’t take it as a hint toward retirement. More as a thoughtful musing from a veteran coach who’s watched most of his contemporaries retire, while he keeps going, for whatever reason, and keeps piling victories.
UConn announced last summer a contract extension for Auriemma that runs through the 2028-29 season.
"I would say the things that keep me going are that I still find some satisfaction in what I’m doing. That’s probably the biggest thing for me,” Auriemma said. "It’s not like I need to do it or have to do it. I just still find some satisfaction. It’s a challenge, though."
The Huskies don’t run the sport like they did at the zenith of Auriemma’s dynastic run, but they retain a place among the nation’s elite.
Paige Bueckers not a solo act for No. 2 seed UConn Huskies
Auriemma steered UConn on a surprise run to the Final Four last season, as a No. 3 seed, with a squad saddled by injuries. Those Huskies finished one bucket short of a national championship game appearance.
This team, led by superstar guard Paige Bueckers, has the goods to make it back to that stage — or beyond. There are, perhaps, more complete teams, and standouts like Southern California’s JuJu Watkins, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo and UCLA’s Lauren Betts rival Bueckers for the distinction of nation’s best player.
The Huskies enjoy an easier go of it in the Big East than No. 1 seeds UCLA, South Carolina, USC or Texas from the SEC and Big Ten. UConn won every conference game by double digits. Also mixed into its win streak was an eye-opening 29-point smashing of South Carolina. Among UConn’s three losses is a two-point defeat to USC, the No. 1 seed in UConn's region.
The Huskies can play with anyone when they’re right. They’ve been right this past month.
When Bueckers scores and distributes, when Azzi Fudd’s 3-pointers are falling, when Sarah Strong controls the paint, they form a "Big Three" that inspires belief UConn could capture its first national championship since 2016, the final year of a four-peat.
"I believe in this team so much,” Fudd said after UConn won the Big East Tournament.
Geno Auriemma pursues 12th national title as wins keep coming
Any coach would like another piece, and if you handed Auriemma a magic wand, he’d probably conjure a veteran post player.
Two freshmen, Strong and Jana El Alfy, form UConn’s starting frontcourt. You won’t find a better freshman anywhere than Strong, who signed as the nation’s No. 1-rated recruit.
As Auriemma searched for an answer as to why he’s still coaching, I offered him this thought: A dozen national championships sure would have a nice ring to it. He chuckled in response, making no bold proclamations, nor denying the possibility of another title.
“I think you always believe that you have a chance,” Auriemma said.
Blake Toppmeyer is a columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer. Subscribe to read all of his columns.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Geno Auriemma hasn't retired at UConn, a March Madness No. 2 seed
Topics
-
UConn's Dan Hurley on the intensity he brings to coaching
As March Madness nears, UConn basketball coach Dan Hurley sat down with 60 Minutes to talk about his superstitions, sideline antics, and living up to the family name.CBS News - Mar. 9 -
White House reporter asks Irish PM why he 'let' Rosie O'Donnell move to his country
A reporter covering the Wednesday White House meeting between President Trump and Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin asked the prime minister why he allowed American comedian Rosie O'Donnell to ...The Hill - 4d -
Why Dan and Andrea Hurley turned down the Los Angeles Lakers
UConn men's basketball coach Dan Hurley and his wife Andrea said there were many reasons why they declined an offer to coach the NBA team.CBS News - Mar. 9 -
Reunited in LA! When Paul Pogba surprised Olivier Giroud 😎
There is no news yet on where Paul Pogba might end up playing following the conclusion of his ban. But the former Manchester United and Juventus man didn't seem overly concerned when he surprised ...Yahoo Sports - 22h -
Dan Hurley in '60 Minutes' interview: UConn coach says he was 'embarrassed' by 'I'm the best coach' quote
Hurley's quest to lead UConn to a third straight title will be covered with a behind-the-scenes lookCBS Sports - Mar. 9 -
Núñez's days at Liverpool might be numbered, but he is still delivering
Mohamed Salah added to his legend, but the Reds' win over Southampton was all Darwin Núñez.ESPN - Mar. 9 -
‘I never thought about Oscars’: Brutalist composer Daniel Blumberg on the happiness and horror of his big win
The defiantly anti-commercial British musician had walked away from mainstream success twice by his early 20s. Will his Academy Award convince him to embrace Hollywood, celebrity, the big bucks?. ...The Guardian - 4d -
Three questions UConn women’s basketball has to answer to reach championship goal in NCAA Tournament
The UConn women’s basketball team is riding the momentum of a 10-game win streak into March Madness, crowned by a dominant run to win a fifth consecutive Big East Tournament title last week. The ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
VA secretary says he will 'make decisions best for' employees, veterans when asked about DOGE
Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins on Sunday said he will “make decisions best for” employees of his department and veterans when asked about recommendations from the Department of ...The Hill - 16h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Bruno Fernandes hits back at stinging Roy Keane criticism after big Man Utd win
Keane had slated Fernandes’s leadership and claimed he isn’t a fighterYahoo Sports - 29m -
Manchester City see host of clubs line up for out-of-favour forward amid Pep Guardiola frustrations
Jack Grealish is set to attract widespread interest at the end of the season and is looking to leave Manchester City after four years at the Etihad Stadium, as per reports.The 29-year-old is ...Yahoo Sports - 30m -
How Dan Burn, Newcastle’s local boy and ungainly colossus, ended 70 years of pain
Liverpool 1-2 Newcastle United: Dan Burn and Alexander Isak secure glory at Wembley to end the Magpies’ droughtYahoo Sports - 52m -
World Indoor Track and Field Championships 2025: How to watch, schedule, preview
How to watch the 2025 World Indoor Track and Field Championships from Nanjing, China.Yahoo Sports - 52m -
Commanders bring back key defensive line reserve for 2025
The Washington Commanders brought back a key reserve from their 2024 defensive line on Sunday night.Yahoo Sports - 53m
More in Sports
-
Bruno Fernandes hits back at stinging Roy Keane criticism after big Man Utd win
Keane had slated Fernandes’s leadership and claimed he isn’t a fighterYahoo Sports - 29m -
Manchester City see host of clubs line up for out-of-favour forward amid Pep Guardiola frustrations
Jack Grealish is set to attract widespread interest at the end of the season and is looking to leave Manchester City after four years at the Etihad Stadium, as per reports.The 29-year-old is ...Yahoo Sports - 30m -
Source: Pulisic in talks over new AC Milan deal
United States national team star Christian Pulisic is in negotiations with AC Milan over a new contract, a source has told ESPN.ESPN - 48m -
How Dan Burn, Newcastle’s local boy and ungainly colossus, ended 70 years of pain
Liverpool 1-2 Newcastle United: Dan Burn and Alexander Isak secure glory at Wembley to end the Magpies’ droughtYahoo Sports - 52m -
World Indoor Track and Field Championships 2025: How to watch, schedule, preview
How to watch the 2025 World Indoor Track and Field Championships from Nanjing, China.Yahoo Sports - 52m