Fresh off leading UConn to its 12th national title, women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma appeared on ‘Good Morning America’ Monday, where host Michael Strahan asked what continues to drive the 71-year-old coach. Auriemma, chuckling, replied, “It’s time for the older folks to take the spotlight. We’ve got something really special going.”
The Huskies certainly showcased that against South Carolina, dominating their way to an 82-59 win and securing their first NCAA championship since 2016. Auriemma reflected on aging with perspective: “You’re not really getting old yes, your age is going up, but your energy, your passion, and the impact you have on others isn’t fading.”
He became emotional when talking about the players’ journeys, especially the injuries many had overcome over recent seasons. One standout moment for him was Paige Bueckers winning a title in her final game with UConn. “What really motivates me now is something like what happened last night seeing Paige walk off the court a champion,” Auriemma shared. “Winning 12 titles instead of 11 doesn’t change how I feel today, but it absolutely changes how she feels waking up this morning.”
Unlike past seasons when Auriemma could identify early championship-caliber squads, he admitted this year’s team didn’t show those signs initially. But things turned around after an emphatic 87-58 win at South Carolina on February 16 a moment he saw as a turning point.
“After that game, we knew what we were capable of,” he said. “From then on, we were locked in. We trusted each other more, communicated better, and just grew as a team.”
UConn went on to win 13 straight games, capping off a 16-game winning streak to close the season as national champions.
For Auriemma, staying close to the younger generation keeps him feeling youthful. As a lighthearted close to the interview, he shared that he had watched Alex Ovechkin break Wayne Gretzky’s NHL scoring record on Sunday showing he’s still a fan of greatness across sports.
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