UConn head coach Geno Auriemma is close to becoming the winningest coach in NCAA basketball history, as the No. 2 Huskies prepare to host Fairleigh Dickinson on Wednesday night.
If UConn wins, Auriemma will surpass former Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer after tying her record of 1,216 career wins with last Friday’s victory over No. 16 UNC. Auriemma has spent his entire coaching career of 40 years at UConn, unlike VanDerveer who coached at other schools before Stanford.
Auriemma’s 40 Seasons at UConn
Auriemma has been at the helm of UConn’s women’s basketball program since 1985, starting with a team that had very little success before his arrival.
“We started at ground zero, at nothing — we didn’t have the advantage of location, the advantages of the reputation of the school, we didn’t have the luxury of a big-time league that could elevate us,” Auriemma explained. “We started at the absolute ground level and it has evolved into this.”
Under Auriemma’s leadership, UConn has achieved incredible success, winning 11 national championships and dominating the NCAA title from 2013 to 2016. His teams have had six undefeated seasons and reached 23 Final Fours, more than any other NCAA team.
UConn’s Legacy of Athletes
The game against Fairleigh Dickinson will bring together many of Auriemma’s former players, including stars like Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, and Maya Moore, to celebrate his milestone achievement.
Auriemma’s legacy lies in the athletes he has shaped, putting not just UConn but women’s basketball on the national stage. Players like Rebecca Lobo, who chose UConn over established programs specifically to play for Auriemma, have set the standard for excellence at the school.
UConn’s WNBA Pipeline
Auriemma’s coaching has produced numerous WNBA players, with 47 Huskies featuring in the league, including stars like Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, and Maya Moore. Paige Bueckers, expected to be the top pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, is set to continue Auriemma’s tradition of sending top players to the pro league.
Reflecting on his 40 years at UConn, Auriemma expresses surprise at how time has flown by, as he continues to lead the Huskies to new heights.
How to Watch UConn vs. Fairleigh Dickinson
The game between UConn and Fairleigh Dickinson will kick off at 7 PM ET on Wednesday in Storrs, with live regional coverage on SNY.
