The fallout from the Final Four clash between Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley just took another sharp turn, and now Stephen A. Smith is pouring gasoline on the fire.
It all started with Auriemma’s public apology, issued hours after UConn’s 62–48 loss to South Carolina.
In that statement, the Hall of Fame coach admitted there was “no excuse” for his behavior and said it didn’t reflect the program’s standards, while apologizing broadly to South Carolina’s team and staff and emphasizing their performance deserved the spotlight.
But notably, and critically, he never mentioned Staley by name.
On Monday’s episode of “First Take,” Smith didn’t hold back, calling the apology “weak” and questioning both its sincerity and intent.
“Apology was weak,” Smith said. “He doesn’t owe us an apology… He owes Dawn Staley an apology. What the hell is up with a statement… and you don’t mention her name once?”
Smith zeroed in on what he viewed as a disconnect between the incident and the response.
“You went in the face of Dawn Staley… that is who you addressed publicly… and then you don’t even mention her?” he continued. “To me… It’s clearly one that came from UConn as opposed to him directly.”
He went even further, tying the moment to competitiveness and ego.
“We know his reputation… he’s accustomed to winning… would you have had that problem if Dawn Staley had lost?” Smith said. “The fact of the matter is, UConn lost, and Geno Auriemma got outcoached.”
“There’s nothing inside of him that can look at her, her resume, her history, the way she comports herself, and justify him rolling up on her the way that he did. It was disgusting. As far as I’m concerned, he tried to bully her,” Smith added.
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Late in the Final Four matchup of the NCAA Tournament, tensions boiled over.
As South Carolina closed out the upset, ending UConn’s undefeated run, Auriemma approached Staley, and the two exchanged words in a moment that required both coaches to be separated by assistants.
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The spark? Auriemma believed Staley had skipped a traditional pregame handshake, while also voicing frustration about officiating and what he described as overly physical play.
Auriemma had hinted at South Carolina receiving more favorable calls throughout the game.
Staley, meanwhile, maintained she had greeted UConn staff beforehand and appeared largely unbothered publicly, choosing instead to focus on her team’s performance.
Multiple camera angles, and even lip-reading breakdowns circulating online, only fueled the situation, with some evidence contradicting Auriemma’s initial claims about the handshake and in-game incidents.
The result of the exchange was a viral moment that ultimately overshadowed a dominant South Carolina win.
The Gamecocks advanced to the national championship game on Sunday, where they were overpowered by UCLA 79-51 in what was the Bruins first-ever NCAA women’s basketball title.
Even with UCLA’s historic win, the conversation remains firmly on Staley and Auriemma.
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Auriemma’s statement attempted to reset the narrative, but instead extended it.
Smith’s comments echo a growing sentiment that the apology felt institutional rather than personal.
Staley and Auriemma will face off again at Mohegan Sun Arena on November 24, 2026, with UConn vs. South Carolina headlining the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase.
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