The UConn Huskies dismantled the reigning national champion South Carolina Gamecocks in the NCAA Tournament Championship Game, handing the Columbia-based program a devastating defeat on the national stage. The 82–59 rout secured UConn’s 12th national title and earned head coach Geno Auriemma a $300,000 bonus. Meanwhile, the loss proved even more deflating for South Carolina’s Dawn Staley, who missed out on an even larger payout.

The Huskies finally got their revenge on the Gamecocks, who defeated them in the 2021 March Madness Final and left Auriemma’s squad with a bitter taste. Three years later, UConn washed it all away—this time with the sweet sting of championship champagne.

Guided by a sensational performance from Sarah Strong, Paige Bueckers, and Azzi Fudd, the Huskies routed the Gamecocks in a game that was decided before the end of the third quarter. The loss stung even more for Staley, who hoped to secure her fourth national championship at the helm of South Carolina women’s college basketball program.

Moreover, while Auriemma earned a $300,000 bonus, Staley missed out in a ludicrous championship bonus in her contract. According to Essentially Sports, the Gamecocks’ head coach would have earned a $500,000 bonus if South Carolina had defeated UConn in the NCAA National Championship Game.

Head coach Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies looks on in the fourth quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the National Championship of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Amalie Arena on April 06, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.

Not too shabby

Although Staley will probably hang her head about the astronomical bonus she missed out on, the 17-year coach in Columbia still secured a big bonus check after reaching the decisive stage in March Madness.

So far in the 2024-25 NCAA season, Staley had earned $130,000 in bonuses. The breakdown, per Essentially Sports, includes $15,000 for making the AP Top 25, another $15,000 for winning 11 or more SEC games, and $100,000 for sweeping the conference titles.

The price for history

Auriemma, on the other hand, hoisted his 12th national championship—and with it, a sizable reward. In addition to his $300,000 title bonus, the legendary coach earned $437,500 in bonuses over the course of the season.

Paige Bueckers #5 of the UConn Huskies looks on in the third quarter against the UCLA Bruins aption here>>in the Final Four game of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Amalie Arena on April 04, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.

Auriemma earned a $75,000 bonus for winning the Big East title, followed by $112,500 for advancing through the first two rounds. Reaching the Final Four brought in another $100,000, and UConn’s semifinal win over USC earned the 71-year-old coach an additional $125,000.

After the national championship victory, Auriemma wrapped up the season with a grand total of $737,500 in bonuses—on top of his $3.34 million base salary