Geno Auriemma is one of the greatest coaches, if not the greatest coach, in women’s basketball history. However, the 11-time national championship is fed up with the current climate of the sport. He is particularly upset with how the transfer portal and NIL have impacted roster management.
Although many of Auriemma’s concerns are valid, his approach to the conversation was not productive. Many college coaches, even beyond women’s college basketball, have discussed their frustrations with the modern era while making coherent, tangible points that can leave to constructive change.
The 69-year-old head coach at UConn did not. His comments were fueled by frustration and it led to a tremendous meltdown that left a lot of people with a sour taste in their mouths.
It was particularly off-putting when Auriemma began his response to a question from the media with praise for his own program. He said that younger coaches have never had it the way he’s had it.
I’m somewhat fortunate where I am. There aren’t a whole lot of high-level players coming to play at Connecticut going, “I’m leaving for a better opportunity” […]
We have pretty strong relationships with out best players. They didn’t come here for the money, they didn’t come here for the other stuff.
— Geno Auriemma
While that is true, it’s not like the Huskies — especially Paige Bueckers — aren’t making as much money as they can through Name, Image and Likeness opportunities. There are NIL collectives in Storrs that compensate the athletes on a relative scale! Auriemma’s athletes are getting paid on some level.
His targeted comments did not stop there. Focus shifted toward other coaches around the country and discussed the notion of “changing with the times.”
Auriemma said that it is impossible for a coach to build a relationship when it is transactional. He then spoke on behalf of the athletes while making large, overarching assumptions.
How do you coach in an environment where the players feel like they owe you nothing and you owe them everything? What kind of relationship can you have?
— Geno Auriemma
All of these points are fair. Auriemma does not believe that the current model involving the transfer portal and NIL is sustainable. He might be right.
Geno Auriemma’s comments were not well-received by other coaches!
That doesn’t mean that he knows the truth behind every ongoing in the sport. That does not mean that his approach to the discussion wasn’t abrasive or brackish.
Amid his soapbox diatribe, Auriemma directly addressed Seton Hall.
You’ve got a player that’s really, really, really good that you coached the hell out of and you just made them who they are […]
And that kid goes “yeah, well, I think I can go make more money somewhere else.”
Okay, well, you wouldn’t have been this good if it weren’t for the coaching staff you have right now.
— Geno Auriemma
Here are his full comments:
Auriemma was referencing Lauren Park-Lane, who transferred to Mississippi State after four full years at Seton Hall. She was a three-time All-Big East selection and averaged 20.9 points per game in 2022/23.
Park-Lane is currently averaging 10.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists as the starting point guard for the Bulldogs. Her presence on the court is a big key to her team’s success.
Kaiti Jones, the Strength and Conditioning Coach for Mississippi State Women’s Basketball, did not appreciate what Auriemma had to say about Park-Lane and made that abundantly clear.
Keep my PGs name out your mouth. She transferred as a grad transfer. Last I checked, dedicating 4 years of your eligibility to a university is a completion of the agreed upon commitment. She wants to compete for championships not a paycheck.
— Kaiti Jones on X, formerly known as Twitter
Park-Lane also responded!
Whewww 🙂🙃 I still have eligibility left so imma just save my comments
— Lauren Park-Lane on X, formerly known as Twitter
For Auriemma to call a player out, essentially by name, is wildly unprofessional. As was his entire rant.
Meanwhile, his teams lost games to N.C. State, UCLA and Texas so far this season. UConn has not won a national championship since 2016. Maybe Geno Auriemma should focus on his own program first.