UConn Coach Geno Auriemma Nears NCAA All-Time Wins Record

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma is on the verge of making history as the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball, with the No. 2 Huskies playing against Fairleigh Dickinson on Wednesday night.

If UConn wins, Auriemma will surpass retired Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer after tying her record of 1,216 career wins with a victory over No. 16 UNC last Friday. Auriemma has spent his entire 40-year head coaching career at UConn, unlike VanDerveer who had coaching stints at Idaho and Ohio State before Stanford.

Geno Auriemma, alongside associate head coach Chris Dailey, has led UConn for 40 seasons. (Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Forty seasons of UConn excellence for Auriemma

Auriemma took over UConn’s women’s basketball program in 1985, transforming a struggling team into a powerhouse. His high standards, recruiting skills, and dedication to hard work have led to incredible success, including 11 national championships, six undefeated seasons, and 23 Final Four appearances — the most by any NCAA team.

The 1995 UConn team celebrates their first-ever national championship at a pep rally — Auriemma’s first-ever championship team in 1995 featured future WNBA star Rebecca Lobo. (Bob Stowell/Getty Images)

UConn’s unmatched legacy of world-class athletes

The game will be attended by many of Auriemma’s former players, including stars like Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, and Maya Moore. These players are a testament to Auriemma’s legacy of excellence and his ability to develop top talent in women’s basketball.

Auriemma has created a pipeline from UConn to the WNBA, with many players going on to successful professional careers. Notable UConn alumni in the WNBA include Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Tina Charles, and Breanna Stewart.

At her 1,000-point celebration, UConn guard Paige Bueckers poses with coach Geno Auriemma — Current UConn star Paige Bueckers continues Auriemma’s legacy of excellence. (M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Coach Auriemma’s UConn-to-WNBA pipeline

Potential No. 1 WNBA draft pick Paige Bueckers highlights Auriemma’s ability to develop top talent. Bueckers, like many before her, values playing for Auriemma and sees it as an honor to continue his legacy at UConn.

As Auriemma approaches a historic milestone, he reflects on his 40-year coaching career at UConn with gratitude and surprise at how quickly time has passed.