In February 2025, Diana Taurasi, one of the greatest to ever lace them up, looked back on her UConn days and delivered the kind of praise that cuts through the noise. “We talk about leadership a lot in sports. I think we throw that term around pretty loosely. He’s an expert in leadership… No one could take a group of people and lead them like Coach can,” the WNBA icon said. That moment hit different.
It wasn’t just a former player paying respects—it was a reminder that Geno Auriemma isn’t just a coach. He is UConn women’s basketball. And after 40 years, 11 national titles, and a record-shattering 1,244 wins and counting, it’s hard not to wonder: Is this the final chapter? Is Geno Auriemma retiring after this season?
Geno Auriemma still has it in him
Let’s unpack it. This season, Auriemma became the winningest coach in NCAA basketball history—men’s or women’s. But here’s the twist: even with all that, he’s still learning.
Yep, four decades in, and Geno hasn’t hit cruise control. He’s still at every practice, still adapting to a changing game, and still obsessed with doing it the right way. “It’s not like I need to do it or have to do it,” he told USA TODAY. “I just still find some satisfaction… It’s a challenge, though.” And that right there is the pulse of it all. Auriemma doesn’t coach for the accolades—he does it because the work still matters to him. The fire’s still lit.
Despite the whispers heading into the 2025 NCAA Tournament—some assuming the Final Four might be his swan song—Auriemma is under contract through the 2028–29 season. And more importantly, he’s not ready to hang it up.
“They keep offering me a new contract,” Auriemma said earlier this season. “And at some point, you’re gonna say, ‘No, I can’t do this anymore.’ You know when that day will be? When we can’t get players or what you have to go through to get good players becomes like, ‘Do I really want to do that?’”
That day isn’t today. Because recruiting? Still rolling. Even with all the new twists in college hoops—NIL deals, transfer portal madness—Geno’s still pulling elite talent to Storrs. Next season, Kelis Fisher, Gandy Malou-Mamel, and W Blanca Quinonez (Ecuador) are on their way, making it the 6th top-ranked class this year.
“Our recruiting hasn’t fallen off,” Auriemma said last year. “We’re still getting the kind of players that I like to coach and I enjoy being around.” Let’s be honest—there’s not a single box left for Auriemma to check. He’s won everything there is to win. UConn has posted an eye-popping 141-24 record in NCAA tournament games under his leadership. But Geno isn’t chasing numbers.
When asked about becoming the winningest coach before surpassing Tara VanDerveer, he gave a classic response: “My friends back home say, ‘Stay until you become number one.’ For what purpose? Seriously… I like to think that our basketball program is going to be remembered more for the 11 national championships that we have, rather than the number of wins that I have.” That’s Geno. All class. All substance.
For now, Geno Auriemma is exactly where he wants to be—on the sideline, chasing greatness one more time. And even if his time there were to come to a close, he is ensuring he doesn’t exit without sharing lessons of decades.
A win for one, a win for all; Geno isn’t afraid of passing down the sauce
It’s been since 2016 that UConn last stood alone atop women’s college basketball. But here’s the thing: that drought doesn’t seem to weigh Geno down. Not like you might expect.
He’s 70 now. But he remembers being that young coach once. Watching from the sidelines. Hoping someone would share. So now? He shares. He’s never been one to guard secrets for the sake of a competitive edge. He once let three Tennessee players—yes, Tennessee—come sit in on a UConn practice. Because as far as Geno’s concerned, basketball is basketball. And if he’s got something worth knowing? He’s giving it.
“You can’t worry about anything else,” Auriemma said. “I’m glad when coaches have success. That’s what we’re here for.”
UConn is making its record 24th Final Four trip. The Huskies are 12-11 all-time in these games, but on paper, they’re the underdog. But don’t count Geno out. Not now. Not when he still sees the game like few ever have. This might not be the last dance. In fact, it doesn’t feel like it at all. Because for Geno Auriemma, there’s still business to finish.
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