Geno Auriemma, Dawn Staley, Release Respectful Statements To 'Shift Back' To Basketball And 'Move Forward'

STORRS, CT — University of Connecticut women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina coach Dawn Staley on Tuesday released statements about their animated discussion following the women's national semifinal game.

Auriemma distributed his to state media, while Staley issued hers on social media.

In essence, both said it's behind them, especially after they spoke Tuesday.

The focus, they both said, should be on the "growth" of the game and efforts to "elevate" it.

Here are their respective statements:

Auriemma

"This morning, Dawn Staley and I spoke about our interaction after the game last Friday. I apologized to Dawn, her staff and her team. 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. 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."

Staley

"With the college women's basketball season behind us, it's time to move forward and close the chapter on how our semifinal game with UConn ended. 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. 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."