South Carolina vs UConn: Head-to-head record between Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma

It’s hardly a secret. Women’s college basketball runs through Storrs and Columbia. It’s been that way for a while as Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley are in the decisive stages of the NCAA Tournament year in and year out. In 2026, the UConn Huskies and South Carolina Gamecocks will meet in the Final Four, with a ticket to the National Championship Game on the line.

Staley and Auriemma have both built powerhouses in women’s college basketball. Shattering records left to right, their success explains why both coaches take home big paychecks. Moreover, a breakdown of the coaches contract’s bonuses paints a clear picture.

Whenever Staley and Auriemma go head to head, though, money talks are pushed aside. It’s about legacy, and proving which program is the apex predator in a competitive NCAA landscape. So far, the Huskies have the upper-hand over the Gamecocks.

Staley and Auriemma first met in the 2008-09 season. Back then, the No. 1 Huskies visited the Gamecocks at Colonial Life Arena, and walked away with a 77-48 triumph. That trend has prevailed, as Auriemma and UConn are 8-4 against Staley and South Carolina in regular season matchups.

Geno Auriemma (left) and Dawn Staley (right)

H2H record in March Madness

It sure feels like Staley and Auriemma go head-to-head in the NCAA Tournament every other season. However, the Huskies and Gamecocks have only met three times in March Madness before. So far, Auriemma and the Connecticut Huskies hold a 2–1 edge in win-or-go-home matchups against the South Carolina Gamecocks.

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Auriemma’s program had the last laugh when it defeated Staley and company in the 2025 NCAA Tournament national championship by a score of 82–59. The Gamecocks will vie for revenge as they meet in the Final Four at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.

Staley and South Carolina are no strangers to the feeling of holding a national title over Auriemma and UConn, though. The Gamecocks defeated the Huskies 64–49 in the 2022 national championship. Thus, Staley has already cut down the nets while Auriemma stood and watched.

The other time the two schools met in March Madness was in 2018, when UConn advanced to the Final Four with a 94–65 victory over South Carolina in the Elite Eight. Clearly, there’s a lot of history behind a matchup between Staley and Auriemma.

How many national titles has each coach won?

Still, that’s all tossed out the window. All that matters is right now, as the Gamecocks and Huskies go to battle for another shot at a national championship. For Staley, she is looking to cut down the nets of the NCAA Tournament once again. It would be her—as well as South Carolina’s—fourth national title.

For Auriemma, he hopes to add to his record-setting collection of NCAA national championships. He has helped UConn win each and every one of its 12 national titles.