INDIANAPOLIS — UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley believes women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma “deserves the benefit of the doubt.”
After the UConn men’s program secured a slot in the national championship game with a victory over Illinois in the Final Four on Saturday night, Hurley addressed the situation between Auriemma and South Carolina coach Dawn Staley at the women’s Final Four that made waves on Friday night.
The incident involved a heated exchange as the clock wound down at the end of the Gamecocks’ win over the Huskies. Auriemma then disappeared to the locker room instead of participating in the postgame handshake line after time expired and UConn’s loss was solidified.
Auriemma later said Staley had left him hanging as he waited to complete a pregame handshake (though the two did shake hands at one point before the game started). Then, on Saturday, he issued an apology through UConn’s official social media accounts.
Hurley, who is frequently criticized for his expletives and animation on the sideline—specifically directed at referees—started his defense of Auriemma with a dry joke. “Obviously, I’ve had a negative influence on Geno,” he said.
Hurley continued: “And it’s crazy, ’cause Geno’s helped me so much. Geno is—the way he handled the whole thing, such a stand up guy, with the way he handled it with the statement. And he’s one of the classiest people. And if anyone should get the benefit of the doubt in a world of sports, it’s Geno Auriemma. Cause he’s one of the most authentic, genuine, great people you’ll ever meet in your life.”
The relationship between Hurley and Auriemma has been well-documented. Hurley has frequently credited Auriemma for helping him navigate the pressures of coaching, especially after the Huskies’ disappointing exit from the NCAA tournament last season—a point he’s emphasized multiple times throughout UConn’s current men’s tournament run.
Hurley is now the last Huskies basketball coach standing this season. The men’s program has secured a spot in the national championship. The women’s program returned to Storrs after a crushing defeat, which was only amplified by their coach’s antics.
