“That’s a Geno question. I have not heard from Geno,” Staley admitted, via USA Today’s Meghan Hall. “It’s UCLA’s day. Let’s keep it there. We’re not gonna damper UCLA’s day with that.” Staley did say she has a lot of unread messages, and Auriemma’s reported text may well be one of them.

According to ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo, Auriemma did reach out to Staley to apologize for his candid reaction, but South Carolina‘s head coach couldn’t confirm that. As far as Staley knew—or cared to publicly discuss—she hadn’t heard from Auriemma.

Staley’s reaction to the question put on full display that she had no intention of touching the subject. That was not something on her mind after the Gamecocks lost in the National Championship Game for the second year in a row.

Staley vs Auriemma never fails to deliver

Regardless, after suffering one of the worst defeats of her coaching career in women’s college basketball, Staley was in no mood to speak about the clash with Auriemma that made waves across the nation last Friday. Everybody knows how heated matchups between Staley’s Gamecocks and Auriemma’s Huskies are, but this one went over the line.

The head-to-head record between Staley and Auriemma is now tied in NCAA Tournament showdowns. As it stands, both sides have won two and lost two against one another. Though she didn’t directly name Auriemma or Connecticut, Staley did fire a not-so-subtle shot at the Huskies with her praise for Cori Close and the Bruins.

“Although we didn’t win, I can swallow it because we lost to a really good human being and a good team that represents women’s basketball well,” Staley said, per The Athletic’s Grace Raynor. Clear as water, Staley put Auriemma on notice with that comment.

Missed opportunity for Staley

South Carolina’s loss against UCLA meant Staley failed to make the podium for the most decorated coaches in the NCAA Tournament. Auriemma still leads with 12 national titles, followed by Pat Summit’s 8 championships. Kim Mulkey closes out the podium with 4 conquests of the NCAA Women’s Tournament.

Make no mistake, though, the Gamecocks will be back in the dance next year, and Staley isn’t going anywhere as she is inked to the highest contract in the nation. Moreover, her deal runs through the 2029-30 season. It’s safe to say, Staley is there to stay in Columbia.

• Geno Auriemma: 12 national titles with Connecticut
• Pat Summit: 8 national titles with Tennessee
• Kim Mulkey 4 national titles (Baylor 3x and LSU)

If there’s a silver lining, though, it’s the fact South Carolina avoided making history of the wrong kind. After the Gamecocks’ 28-point loss to the Bruins, the record for the biggest blowout in a national title game in women’s college basketball still belongs to the UConn Huskies, who defeated the Louisville Cardinals 93-60 (33-point difference) in the 2013 National Championship Game.

Regardless, Staley and the Gamecocks have now lost in back-to-back championship games, and they weren’t particularly close. Last season, South Carolina lost 82-59 (23-point margin) against UConn. Staley’s side has now been outscored by 51 points in its last two title game appearances in the NCAA.

Top 3 biggest losses in title game

Though Staley’s South Carolina avoided being on the wrong end of the worst defeat in the NCAA’s Women’s National Championship Game, it couldn’t escape the podium. The 28-point defeat at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, AZ is now the third biggest blowout in a title showdown.

The Bruins’ victory is surpassed only by the Huskies’ 93–60 win over Louisville and 82–51 victory against Syracuse in 2013 and 2016, respectively. Had UCLA not taken its best players off the court in the final minutes, the final score might have been even more lopsided.

UCLA wins 1st NCAA title

Although UCLA had hoisted an AIAW national championship in 1978, its conquest over South Carolina meant the Bruins have cut down the nets of March Madness for the first time in school history. It was extra sweet for them, as the Bruins prevented the Gamecocks from hoisting their fourth national championship.

Hungry dogs run faster, and that was definitely the case, as the Bruins simply wouldn’t be denied in their pursuit of immortal glory. The program had gone through a valley, and how fitting that, in The Valley, UCLA touched the sky in NCAA Women’s Tournament history.

“I’m super proud of our kids and I’m not going to let any of this take anything away from the performance on the floor,“ she said to the press. Auriemma’s fury with the officiating may have sparked the verbal altercation between the two coaches—or even led to a perceived lack of respect between both sides.

“I guess he thought I didn’t shake his hand at the beginning of the game,” Staley told ESPN‘s Molly Rowe. “I didn’t know. I went down there pregame, shook everybody on his staff’s hand.”

A dominant victory for the Gamecocks

South Carolina secured a dominant 62–48 victory over UConn in the Final Four, fueled by a defensive masterclass that held the Huskies to a season-low 31.1% shooting from the field. After trailing at halftime, the Gamecocks took control with a decisive 12–2 run to start the third quarter, effectively neutralizing stars like Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd.

Ta’Niya Latson led the offensive charge with 16 points, while Agot Makeer added 14 to help snap UConn’s incredible 54-game winning streak. This physical and disciplined performance by Dawn Staley’s squad officially punched its ticket to Sunday’s National Championship game against UCLA.

Chasing the fourth National Title

The South Carolina Gamecocks last captured the March Madness title in 2024, further solidifying their status as the premier powerhouse in women’s college basketball. Under the elite leadership of Dawn Staley, the program has secured three national championships in total, winning in 2017, 2022, and 2024.

After finishing as runners-up in the 2025 tournament, the Gamecocks enter tomorrow’s final against UCLA with a chance to claim their fourth trophy in school history. A victory would mark their second title in three years and cement their era as one of the most dominant runs in the sport’s history.

“There were six fouls called that quarter, all of them against us. And they’ve been beating the (expletive) out of our guys down here the entire game… this is ridiculous!,” the head coach stated during a live in-game interview.

The Huskies’ undefeated season came to an end with a 62–48 loss to the Gamecocks. Now, it’s a matter of processing the disappointment and looking ahead to what’s next.

The altercation with Staley

The latest chapter in the storied rivalry between Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma took an intense turn during last night’s Final Four matchup. After a controversial non-call on a late-game screen, the two Hall of Fame coaches shared an incredibly icy handshake at mid-court, followed by a heated verbal exchange near the scorers’ table.

While Staley later downplayed the incident as “competitive fire,” Auriemma’s visible frustration with the officiating and South Carolina’s physical play dominated the post-game headlines. This confrontation added yet another layer of drama to their history, reminding everyone that the stakes in this matchup transcend the scoreboard.

What’s next for March Madness?

Following the dramatic events of the Final Four, the 2026 Women’s March Madness tournament is down to its final two teams. On Sunday, April 5, the South Carolina Gamecocks will face off against the UCLA Bruins in the National Championship game at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.

South Carolina advanced after the aforementioned hard-fought victory over UConn, while UCLA secured their spot by defeating Texas 51–44 in a defensive battle. This highly anticipated matchup will decide the title, with tip-off scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET as the Bruins look to capture the crown against Staley’s powerhouse program.

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.

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.

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 Mortgage Matchup 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.

That common factor has led to memorable showdowns between their two programs. Most recently in the National Championship in 2025, when the Huskies defeated the Gamecocks. Revenge is a dish best served cold, though, and Staley will have her shot at it in 2026. As UConn and South Carolina square off in the Final Four, fans are in for yet another matchup between Staley and Auriemma. And this one has a lot of prize money on the line.

According to information from CT Insider, Auriemma has already made $250,000 in bonuses as UConn reached the Final Four ($50K for making NCAA Tournament + $50K for advancing to Sweet Sixteen + $50K for reaching Elite Eight + $100K for Final Four appearance). That must be added to Auriemma’s reported $3.54 million salary for the 2025-26 college basketball season.

Still, Auriemma—coaching his 41st season at Storrs—isn’t cashing in his paycheck just yet. He can add an extra $125,000 with a win over South Carolina to make the National Championship Game, and he could cash in $300,000 by capturing his 13th national title in 2026—women’s college basketball record is held by Auriemma with 12 championships.

Staley’s contract bonuses

As for Staley, she hasn’t had to pinch pennies in Columbia, either. In January 2025, Staley became the highest-paid coach in women’s college basketball history. South Carolina signed her to an extension running through the 2029–30 campaign. Under her new deal, Staley earned a base salary of $4.25 million this season.

According to Boardroom, Staley’s bonuses in the NCAA Tournament are as follows: $25,000 for reaching the tournament, $50,000 for making it to the Sweet Sixteen, $100,000 for an Elite Eight appearance, $250,000 for reaching the Final Four, and a whopping $500,000 for winning the national championship.

Last season, Staley came awfully close to cashing in on that last incentive, but it was Auriemma and UConn who prevented her from doing so. This time around, she hopes to return the favor, as the Gamecocks aim to capture their second title in three years and stop the Huskies from going back-to-back and completing yet another undefeated season.

A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston, under different circumstances, are putting up solid performances with the Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Pacers, respectively. They have elevated their game once again, and their former coach has taken notice.

Staley praised Boston and Bree Hall over the weekend, highlighting their performance for the Fever amid Caitlin Clark’s absence. Wilson, on the other hand, was dubbed the best player in the league by Staley, who didn’t hesitate and told fans she wasn’t interested in their arguments.

Dawn Staley makes her pick for WNBA MVP clear

On Monday, the three-time national champion sent a message on X to endorse her favorite to win the MVP award. While she admitted she was biased, Staley didn’t hesitate to back Wilson for the coveted prize.

“As we wind down the @WNBA season, just would like to thank all the talented women who gave us a season of all seasons,” the college basketball legend wrote. “If there’s truly no funny stuff in the air @ajawilson22 really is the MVP. I’m biased, but the historical numbers and run they’re on aren’t.”

Wilson leads the league in points (23.4) and blocks (2.3), while ranking second in rebounds (9.9) and third in double-doubles (20). The Aces tied the third-longest winning streak in WNBA history with 15 consecutive wins after they beat the Chicago Sky on Tuesday. Napheesa Collier is also having a remarkable season, but Wilson is having the best run at the moment.

What makes her relationship with her former players more special, however, is that Staley never stops showing love to them, even after they become professionals. Over the years, she has developed major stars such as A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, and Tiffany Mitchell, to name a few.

While she keeps developing the next generation of stars, Staley pays close attention to what her former players are doing. Amid an entertaining 2025 WNBA season, the three-time college basketball champion has praised her old players whenever she’s had the chance.

Dawn Staley names best player in the WNBA

Staley has sent multiple messages on her X account. Last week, she made her pick for the best WNBA player clear, going with the defending MVP, A’ja Wilson. She wrote a short but strong message, while adding that she wasn’t interested in different opinions.

“The MF best in the world @_ajawilson22. Argue with…….a wall!!!” she said.

Staley also praised other former players, Boston and Bree Hall, on Sunday, praising their performance during the Indiana Fever’s 94-65 win over the Washington Mystics.

“I see you @breezyhalll!! I see you @aa_boston will the near triple double!!! On 3…..you say GAME I say COCK! @GamecockWBB“ she wrote.

Staley revealed last season that she would have liked to see her players receive the same attention Caitlin Clark or Paige Bueckers had during their collegiate careers, and it seems as though she’s making sure she celebrates them in a proper way.

Boston, who led the Gamecocks to the national championship in the 2021-22 NCAA season, left a huge mark on her college coach from the beginning of their relationship.

The 6-foot-five forward joined the Gamecocks from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, ahead of the 2019-20 season. Boston made an instant impact on her squad, averaging 12.5 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 2.6 blocks per game during her freshman year.

While she was putting up solid performances on the court, Boston wasn’t the most vocal person on the roster, which prevented Staley from knowing how intelligent the future No. 1 overall pick was.

Dawn Staley praises Aliyah Boston’s intelligence

During a conversation with Boston and WNBA legend Candace Parker, Staley opened up about the forward’s freshman season in college. Staley recalled that Boston didn’t talk much since she was respectful of the senior players and only spoke to her when they talked in private. Those conversations helped Boston get better on the court.

“I think once we started having those conversations, she started just blossoming, like I mean, she is super smart,” Staley said. “Like she probably came in as the smartest player like ever in the history of our program.”

Boston left college in 2023, and she’s now blossoming into one of the best players in her position in the WNBA. While most people talk about Caitlin Clark, she’s also a pivotal part of the Indiana Fever’s future.

One of her most recent stars was Aliyah Boston, who won the national championship in the 2021-22 season, a year before she became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft.

With Caitlin Clark limited to only 13 of the 38 games the Indiana Fever have played this season, Boston has stepped up to help the team remain afloat and with chances to make it to the playoffs.

Boston averages 15.5 points (1.5 more than last season), 8.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game in 38 outings this campaign. She has helped Stephanie White’s squad keep their postseason hopes alive, alongside Kelsey Mitchell, while Clark recovers from a hamstring issue.

Dawn Staley showers Aliyah Boston with praise amid notable WNBA season

Staley is happy about her former player’s current situation, noting that she’s added more weapons to her arsenal.

“She’s (Boston) there, like, she’s in her third season. I mean, she’s a rebounder, she’s a scorer, when she gets the ball. But now she’s added an element of passing, like, it’s like she gets better every single year. And I really don’t think she gets credit for her growth. Now I would say that people are given the most improved… I can understand that. But Aliyah gotta be in the conversation, right? Got to be in the conversation. Aliyah got to be in the conversation, you know, as MVP. But the losing is the problem. Ya’ll losing too many games,” Staley said in a clip shared on X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday.

The Fever are one of eight teams fighting for six playoff spots. They have six more games to play before the end of the regular season to define their final position and opponent in the playoffs.

Staley witnessed Clark’s evolution closely, and she was in the guard’s final college game ever, when she lost to her Gamecocks in the 2024 national championship game. Clark remains a hot topic around the basketball world now that she’s in the WNBA.

Her fans have become a polarizing topic for many, given how passionate they are about the 2024 No. 1 overall pick. Staley has paid attention to their behavior and sent a message to these fans who don’t want to hear anything remotely negative about CC.

Dawn Staley keeps Caitlin Clark’s fans in check

During a Thursday, June 19, appearance on Kylie Kelce’s “Not Gonna Lie” podcast, Staley pointed out that Clark’s fans are often unwilling to hear anything that doesn’t sound like praise about their player, clarifying that not everything Clark does on the court is positive.

“I think she’s quite an anomaly when it comes to how many eyeballs she’s bringing on the game — and new eyeballs,” Staley said. “The newness of those eyeballs only want her to do well. Only want you to speak very highly of her, only want you to agree with what they agree with. And that’s kind of hard when we are critics to everyone who plays the game. It’s a part of the fabric of sports. That’s what we do.”

This has become a big issue since the guard entered the league. While she’s great, Clark is still young and has a lot of room to improve her game.