South Carolina boss Dawn Staley expressed a desire to move on from the Final Four fracas with UConn coach Geno Auriemma.
Reactions to "Shakegate" instigated by UConn women's basketball head coach Geno Auriemma continue to roll in during the first four (days) after the NCAA Women's Final Four.
One of the central figures in the incident, South Carolina boss Dawn Staley, is seeking to shake things off once for all: on Monday, Staley released a statement to address the Friday fracas with Auriemma that occurred shortly after her Gamecocks downed his Huskies, 62-48, final in the women's national semifinals.
Staley's statement, posted to South Carolina's women's basketball's social channels, was prefaced with a call to "grow our game."
The mission is unchanged – let's grow our game 🫡 pic.twitter.com/mJxqlUy6CK
— South Carolina Women's Basketball (@GamecockWBB) April 7, 2026
"I spoke with Geno, and I want to be clear - I have a great deal of respect for him and what he's meant to this game," Staley said. "One moment doesn't define a career, and it doesn't change the impact he's had on growing women's basketball. The standard at UConn is what it is because of him, and that's something this game has benefited from."
"So, I'm asking everyone to turn the page. Let's refocus on what matters most - continuing to elevate our game, creating opportunities and pushing it forward. That's always been my mission, and it's not changing."
Seeking to keep the attention on the active athletes, Staley did not comment on the Auriemma situation in her availability after the UConn game or during the national championship showdown with UCLA on Sunday. The Bruins would deny Staley and Columbia a fourth national championship ring with a 79-51 win in Phoenix.
Even with the championship hullabaloo, the faceoff between Auriemma and Staley continued to dominate headlines. Friday was a night of animated antics from Auriemma, who previously accused Staley of "rant(ing) and rav(ing) on the sideline" and calling officials "some names you don't want to hear" during his in-game interview with ESPN's Holly Rowe between the third and fourth periods.
Auriemma would later hint that his postgame fury stemmed from Staley either refusing to engage in a pregame handshake, though ESPN cameras did catch the two meeting at some point prior to tip-off. He would release his own statement of apology on Saturday: while Auriemma did not refer to Staley by name, he labeled his postgame behavior "uncalled for" and "unlike what I do and what our standard is here at Connecticut.
Staley wasn't the only major name in women's basketball to offer though on the situation this week: Paige Bueckers, one of Auriemma's more recent pupils, called the incident "unfortunate" when accosted by TMZ Sports upon an arrival at LAX. Asked about the aftermath, Bueckers remarked that she isn't "the person who gives out the forgiveness."
The Auriemma/Staley strife should further fuel the modern rivalry between the Huskies and Gamecocks, who have united to win eight national championships on the women's level since 2013. UConn ended a 10-year national title drought with an 82-59 win over USC at the end of last year's tournament, three seasons after the Gamecocks put up a 64-49 triumph in that championship match. To date, that 2022 matchup marks the only time that the UConn women's team has lost in the national title game.
Despite Staley's best efforts, "Shakegate" will no doubt follow her and Auriemma as the rivalry continues. Fans won't have to wait long for the next chapter: UConn and South Carolina are set to battle in Uncasville, CT early next season, part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Showcase at Mohegan Sun Arena. The next sequel is staged for Nov. 24, two days before Thanksgiving.
[[UDPATE: 9:00 p.m. ET:]] Auriemma released another statement through the UConn program on Monday night, this one referring to Staley by name. Auriemma confirmed that he and Staley spoke on Monday and echoed his fellow champion's desire to move on in the name of focusing on the progress of the game.
"This morning, Dawn Staley and I spoke about our interaction after the game last Friday. I apologized to Dawn, her staff and her team," Auriemma's new statement reads. "I’ve lost more games in the Final Four than any coach in history. But Friday I lost something more important. I lost myself."
"Those who know me know I have nothing but respect and admiration for the game and the coaches who coach it," Auriemma continued. "Dawn and her team deserved to win, and they deserved better from me. Women’s basketball deserved better. My university, my athletes, my former players and our fans deserved better."
"Dawn and I have agreed to move on, and we hope the focus will shift back to the growth in women’s basketball. The game deserves it."
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
