UConn’s Auriemma gets exclusive about his future plans, why he’s so charged up now

[BRS24]

Gift article

Enjoy the moment. With the NCAA’s annual Selection Show on Sunday night and the tournament to begin later in the week, that could be read a certain way, as could a few little asides he has trolled in press conferences lately. But Auriemma, in a 90-minute sit-down with The Courant on Thursday, said he is planning to coach a 42nd year. In fact, a few hours after clinching a 24th Big East title Monday night at Mohegan Sun Arena, he was on a plane for the Midwest to watch a recruit, a top Class of 2027 player, then flew back.​

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Essentially, if he is hard on a player in practice, even if it’s only one harsh comment after a lot of praise, Auriemma finds himself texting, sending emojis, as the players head home to let them know it was coming from a place of caring. Diana Taurasi once said to play for Auriemma was to get punched all season, but if you were still standing in March, you’d be hugged as national champs.​

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“I can’t throw as many punches as I used to,” Auriemma said. “One, I don’t have it in me. It takes a lot out of you to be that way; and, two, they don’t need it. I’ve tried to figure out when they need it. These guys, they want to please you so bad, they want your approval so bad, but me, as a coach, I’m working really, really hard to teach you that you don’t need my approval.”​

 

[Cheddie]

I see two key points in this article. One - Geno still really enjoys what he's doing. Two - there are undoubtedly coaches telling recruits that he'll be gone by the time they get to Storrs, and this provides some reassurance.

Sarah may be a key with her two coming years. He'll have a great player to build around for more championship tries. Unless there is a new Sarah on the horizon, her graduation may be another decision point.

 

[Hayven]

If he gets a great ‘27 class. I don’t see him retiring for a few years

 

[UConnCat]

Tomorrow morning Geno will make his annual (post-Selection Sunday) appearance at the Middlesex Co Chamber of Commerce breakfast. He usually has some interesting things to say. The CT media will be there.

 

[NycUcWbbFan]

Good article:

• (a) The “love ingredient” is still there.
• (b) Geno makes it a concerted priority to make sure players are happy with even minutes and roster development, but see (a).
• (c) Geno has changed his approach from 100% “punches” to punches and grandpa emojis.
• (d) He gave props to Nika, gave consideration to Azzi as possible emergency point guard, but KK’s super-development with Kayleigh’s arrival are keys to pre-season questions, as are Allie and Blanca.
• (e) He agrees with preserving the essence/success of the program (in a new world where UConn could be “outspent off the island”) and to not limit the search to his coaching tree, but he has acknowledged Carla and Shea as doing “amazing things”.
• (f) He’s enjoying himself and his contract runs through 2029.

 

[victor64]

He isn't trying to be the cool grandpa (even though calling his player dude in a timeout makes me wonder. 😊). He is just smart enough to pay attention to what his players need and adapt without compromising his core values.

I was one of those who thought maybe his time to stop was near. But after the job he did last year in sprinting to number 12, I now have no idea how much longer he should go.

 

[FanSince17]

He isn't trying to be the cool grandpa (even though calling his player dude in a timeout makes me wonder. 😊). He is just smart enough to pay attention to what his players need and adapt without compromising his core values.

I was one of those who thought maybe his time to stop was near. But after the job he did last year in sprinting to number 12, I now have no idea how much longer he should go.

I still think what he did during Covid and the subsequent big injury plagued years was epic. The 2023-24 season that included the Elite 8 win over USC with a healthy JuJu and close loss to Iowa and Caitlyn had to be one of his greatest achievements. I feel in some ways, last year was a culminating triumph over all that. With the help of the next UConn phenom, he has once again reached the mountaintop. More chapters of greatness to be written ahead. Can't wait!

 

[Bone Dog]

Emojis? I bet Dee would have freaked out if she’d gotten an emoji.

He doesn’t have it in him to “throw punches” anymore — I get that. I’ve become such a pushover for my students over the past decade, and Geno is only a year or so older than me. I also get his trying to teach his charges that they don’t need his approval. This is the wisdom (such as it is) that old age teaches.

I’m encouraged to hear that he flew to the Midwest to see a 2027 recruit. This doesn’t mean he’s going to stay through 2031. But the fact that he’s still actively recruiting means he’s not thinking about his own end date. When he stops personally flying across the country to see a potential recruit, that will be the sign he’s getting ready to retire.

And I don’t think it really matters to the sort of recruits he seeks whether he’ll be there all four years. He probably doesn’t make that sort of promise. But a year or two with Geno is still worth it to the right kid. They’ll be able to transfer, probably on very favorable terms, if they don’t like the look of his eventual replacement. If other coaches are recruiting on the idea that Geno’s about to retire, I suspect they’re going to be disappointed.

My guess is that he stays at least through Olivia and Jovana’s time. It’s the emojis that suggest this: the job still has some new twists for him. I suspect Paige and Nika also showed him the possibility of a new style of coaching. He seems more playful and less of a tough guy. I’m sure he still tells them all the hard truths.

 

[Bone Dog]

One last thought about the “new” Geno. He is very playful with Ash, and she knows it, and she’s exactly the kind of kid who probably sought his approval when she first arrived. In one clip that circulated two seasons ago, he walked along the bench during a game and patted various kids on the head and when he got to Ash, he made a dismissive gesture. That same year, in an interview she said ‘Geno is like “you suck” but all I hear is “I love you.”’ In other words, he’s learned to temper his natural sarcasm so that kids still hear the love in his criticism.

Another iconic moment was in the Oklahoma game last year when Ash took a quick 3 after getting a looseball. He yelled at her as she ran back on defense and the camera caught the serious look on her face as she took in what he was saying, something about not shooting too soon. But when she crossed midcourt the camera also caught the big smile on her face. She’d heard the love.

 

[TAK]

One last thought about the “new” Geno. He is very playful with Ash, and she knows it, and she’s exactly the kind of kid who probably sought his approval when she first arrived. In one clip that circulated two seasons ago, he walked along the bench during a game and patted various kids on the head and when he got to Ash, he made a dismissive gesture. That same year, in an interview she said ‘Geno is like “you suck” but all I hear is “I love you.”’ In other words, he’s learned to temper his natural sarcasm so that kids still hear the love in his criticism.

Another iconic moment was in the Oklahoma game last year when Ash took a quick 3 after getting a looseball. He yelled at her as she ran back on defense and the camera caught the serious look on her face as she took in what he was saying, something about not shooting too soon. But when she crossed midcourt the camera also caught the big smile on her face. She’d heard the love.

Ash also hears the love by the minutes she plays each game. Geno doesn’t pull her after a mistake. He trusts her, which means he loves her.
Geno is a terrific coach. I can’t imagine him retired.

 

[Phil]

I wasn't surprised when I looked up to check and confirm that Geno is the longest-serving active women's basketball coach, starting in 1985.

But I was startled to note that the second-longest, actually tied for second-longest coaches Bill Fennelly and Tricia Fabri, started a decade after Geno.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

These guys, they want to please you so bad, they want your approval so bad, but me, as a coach, I’m working really, really hard to teach you that you don’t need my approval.”

When he says things like this I usually find myself caught between remembering Casey Stengal or thinking I just left the Auriemma Ashram. This is from the Ashram and I think I get it.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

What a great article!
Thanks for bringing it up!
Geno is not only a tremendous coach, he's a tremendous human being!
Very deep, very deep!

 

[OldSchooler]

It's a wonderful article. All those clamoring for -- or speculating about -- his retirement should stuff a sock in their mouths. Not only does Geno enjoy what he is doing (as do his players and staff), but he is invigorated by it. I'm 12 years older than he is, and I'm invigorated by what he is doing. He's old school, but he is also so contemporary. (I loved his reference to being "spent [not voted] off the island.")

Incidentally, there was also a wonderful half-page article in the sports section of this morning's NY Times about Sarah, and her relationship with the coach.