University of Connecticut women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma is being slammed online after issuing a “weak” apology to South Carolina’s women’s basketball team. Auriemma has been the center of attention over the last 24 hours after his heated interaction with head coach Dawn Staley went viral. Auriemma spoke about the tense moment after the game, stating he was upset with Staley for not shaking his hand before the game, despite video footage showing the opposite.
Geno Auriemma Issues Apology To South Carolina Women’s Basketball, But Doesn’t Mention Dawn Staley By Name
“There’s no excuse for how I handled the end of the game vs. South Carolina,” Auriemma’s statement, shared on social media, began. “It’s unlike what I do and what our standard is here at Connecticut.”
Continuing, Auriemma apologized to “the staff and the team at South Carolina,” calling his behavior “uncalled for.”
“The story should be how well South Carolina played, and I don’t want my actions to detract from that. I’ve had a great relationship with their staff, and I sincerely want to apologize to them,” he finished.
What Happened Between Geno Auriemma And SC Head Coach Dawn Staley?
In the final seconds of UConn’s Final Four matchup against South Carolina on April 3, Auriemma stormed over to Staley and criticized her for allegedly not shaking his hand at the beginning of the game. Tensions flared as Staley clapped back, telling Auriemma that she did, in fact, shake his hand before the game began.
While it’s not 100% certain, Auriemma’s blowup really seemed to be an emotional response to his team’s surprising loss. Moments before his interaction with Staley, Auriemma expressed even more frustration during a live TV interview.
He told ESPN mainstay Holly Rowe that Staley “rants and raves” on the sideline and also alleged that she calls the officials “names you don’t want to hear.”
“They’ve been beating the s— out of our guys down there the entire game,” he added. “I’m not making excuses, ’cause we haven’t been able to make a shot. But this is ridiculous.”
Geno Auriemma Originially Said He Had No Regrets About His Actions
Following the game, Auriemma spoke with the media and questioned whether there was a “double standard” with him and other coaches.
“I’m of the opinion that if I ever talk to an official like that, I would get tossed. So I just want to make sure there’s not a double standard, that some people are allowed to talk to officials like that and other people are not. That’s it,” he said.
When asked whether he had regrets about his comments during the live interview, Auriemma maintained his position.
“Why would I?” he asked. “I’ve been coaching a long time. … Unless you’re on that sideline, you have no idea what’s happening on this sideline.”
Social Media Users Lay Into Auriemma Following Apology
Social media users are now reacting to Auriemma’s apology, and many are expressing dissatisfaction with the legendary basketball coach over what they see as a glaring omission and a lack of respect for his opponent.
“I think his apology is weak since he didn’t acknowledge Dawn Staley by name,” someone wrote. “Pretty telling if you ask me.”
“Notice no direct apology to Dawn Staley but to the SC staff…. bullsh-t, Geno,” another said.
“That apology needs to be directed specifically to Dawn,” a third wrote. “And it needs to be just as public as his disrespect. Not a written statement, but in person and on camera for the world to see. The same way his abhorrent behavior was. He also owes the athletes an apology.”
WNBA Stars Call Auriemma Out For How He Behaved With Staley Following UConn’s Loss To South Carolina
WNBA champion Lisa Leslie spoke out about the now-viral interaction between Staley and Auriemma, calling the UConn coach out for appearing to be a sore loser.
“We have all had to lose with class,” she wrote. “Geno of the @UConnWBB needs to start with an apology!”
Former Los Angeles Sparks player and ESPN analyst Chiney Ogwumike shared a similar sentiment on air, shining light on Auriemma’s “extremely problematic” behavior.
“Time and time again, we see Dawn Stately rise to the occasion, take the high road. And I do know he mentioned this double standard in some of his comments. The double standard is that if Dawn acted that way, it would probably be a completely different conversation. And so to me, it was really difficult,” she said.