• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Geno Auriemma Becomes All-Time Winningest NCAA Basketball Coach

The UConn coach overtook retired Stanford legend Tara VanDerveer, who set the record last year.

Geno Auriemma
Mark Smith-Imagn Images

Geno Auriemma already has the most championships of any coach in NCAA basketball history, so it only makes sense that he becomes the winningest coach, too.

The UConn legend surpassed recently retired Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer with 1,217 all-time wins Wednesday in a 85-41 win at home over Fairleigh Dickinson. VanDerveer broke the record herself, then held by Duke men’s basketball’s Mike Krzyzewski, in January.

“What he’s built here, it’s here because of him, so he definitely downplays it,” UConn guard Paige Bueckers said. “He doesn’t want to do the whole thing: the celebration, the goats, the ice cream, it’s all extra to him. But he deserves it, and we want to celebrate him, because he doesn’t celebrate himself a lot. So everyone around him will make sure they do that job.”

UConn planned a celebration to mark the 40th season in Storrs for Auriemma and assistant coach Chris Dailey for the same evening. The two have 11 national titles to their names, most recently in 2016. They’ve taken the Huskies to the Final Four 23 times and won 59 conference championships. They’ve coached six perfect seasons. In addition to his time in Storrs, Auriemma has led Team USA to three gold medals in the 2000 (as an assistant), 2012, and 2016 Olympics, and two FIBA World Championships in 2010 and 2014.

The university brought out a live goat to salute Auriemma officially setting the mark. “If this goat takes a dump on this carpet, we’re going to win a national championship,” the coach joked Wednesday night.

Several school legends were on hand to see Auriemma break the record, including Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore and Rebecca Lobo.

LSU’s Kim Mulkey has the highest known salary in women’s college ball at $3.26 million per year. Auriemma, 70, and South Carolina coach Dawn Staley are tied behind her at $3.1 million annually.

Last month, UConn announced its first season ticket sellout at the smaller of its two home arenas since the 2004–2005 season. For decades, the school’s men’s and women’s basketball teams have split their home games between Gampel Pavilion in Storrs and the XL Center in Hartford, which fits about 5,000 more fans.

The Huskies finished last season with a down-to-the-wire Final Four loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes in a game that temporarily held the record for the most-watched women’s college basketball game ever with 14.2 million average viewers.

This year’s team has high expectations, led by Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, who each missed one of the last two seasons recovering from an ACL tear. Fudd made her season debut on Auriemma’s night, her first game back from that knee injury last November. Fudd had four points over 12 minutes in her return. Auriemma’s 4–0 squad will face several big tests in December including current top-ten opponents Notre Dame, Iowa State, and USC. Two of those three games are already sold out.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NBC Made Its NBA Return Feel Big

From the nostalgia to Jordan getting personal, NBC hit the right chords.
Malonga

Turkish Dispute Could Cloud French Star’s Return to WNBA 

Fenerbahçe needs to give Dominique Malonga a “letter of clearance.”

The NBA’s $77B Future Starts Tonight 

Seven 2025 NBA All-Stars will miss the start of the season.
Keegan Murray

$20 Million Per Year Becoming New Baseline for NBA Role Players

Christian Braun signed a five-year deal worth $125 million.

Featured Today

Christie's

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
BYU

BYU Lost Its Star QB This Summer. Now It’s One of the..

The Cougars are thriving with a true freshman at quarterback.
October 19, 2025

Beyond Ohio State, It’s Another Massive Shake-Up in the CFB Top 25

Nine of the top 10 teams changed positions in Week 9.
Indiana
October 20, 2025

Indiana Is the Center of the Sports World—Again

After successful NBA and WNBA seasons, Indiana’s football teams are thriving.
Sponsored

Michelle Wie West: Women’s Sports Doesn’t Need Charity

The LPGA legend on redefining women’s sports and the future of golf.
October 19, 2025

Florida, Colorado State Firings Push CFB Buyouts Past $100M

Nine FBS head coaches have been fired since the season started.
Sep 20, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks the sideline during the first quarter against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House Stadium.
October 17, 2025

Belichick’s UNC Saga Now Includes GM Trip to Saudi Arabia

UNC GM Michael Lombardi traveled to Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
Cignetti
October 17, 2025

Curt Cignetti Lands Third Contract in Just 19 Games With Indiana

Cignetti signed a new contract five days after Indiana upset Oregon.
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Semaj Morgan (0) makes a catch for a first down in the first half against the USC Trojans at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
October 16, 2025

Michigan Board Publicly Opposes Big Ten Investment Proposal

“The Big Ten does not need to be sold to save college sports.”