UConn’s Geno Auriemma Sets NCAA Record, Gets an Actual Goat
Auriemma Extended His Legacy With a Historic 1,217th Victory for the Huskies
History in the Making
Eleven women’s college basketball national titles. Twenty-three Final Four Appearances, including 15 in the last 16 seasons. Two separate 98 and 111-game win streaks and six undefeated seasons. When discussing coaching records in NCAA basketball, UConn Women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma has probably broken them all.
Geno Auriemma becomes the winningest coach in NCAA Division I basketball history, solidifying his legendary legacy.#NCAAWBB x @UConnWBB pic.twitter.com/cKuxpfmPnk
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) November 21, 2024
Leading the Huskies to an easy 85-41 win over Fairleigh Dickinson at home in Gampel Pavilion, 70-year-old Auriemma added yet another record to his book, taking over first place in the list of head coaches with the most wins in NCAAB history with his 1,217th victory, edging out former Stanford, Ohio State, and Idaho retired head coach Tara VanDerveer by one win.
After beating every record available to beat besides selling snacks in UConn’s home games (don’t tell Auriemma; he’ll probably break that one, too), what up coaching GOAT?
39 Years and Every Single Accolade Available
You’re probably wondering how someone can live a life like Coach Auriemma’s. I get it—I’ve wondered the same. This man has been a pivotal part of UConn basketball for longer than I’ve been alive.
And it’s not like he’s been half-assing his way after each season. We’re talking about a coach who, for most of the past four decades has gone to work every day and dominated his craft. Auriemma nearly led UConn to a historic moment as they were close to securing both the men’s and women’s basketball titles last season.
Geno Auriemma stands alone. pic.twitter.com/FEs0RHhahm
— UConn on SNY (@SNYUConn) November 21, 2024
Having his only losing season with the team come in his first year with Connecticut, back in 1985, Auriemma has since managed to lead his team to an above .500 average for the following 33 seasons, snagging up all the previous team accolades, being awarded the Naismith Coach of the Year award eight times, the WBCA National Coach of the Year seven times, and winning three Olympic Gold Medals coaching the US Women’s Basketball Team.
It’s dumbfounding to realize Geno Auriemma’s salary is only $400,000 yearly with UConn, but who am I to judge?
What Do You Get the GOAT? A Real Life Goat Of Course!
Last night’s game against Fairleigh Dickinson wasn’t just any other night at Gampel Pavilion and a slew of former Huskies women’s basketball greats made sure to show up and give props to the GOAT.
As shown by the main NCAAB news sites, from Rebeca Lobo, Sue Bird, and Diana Taurasi, to Maya Moore, Napheesa Collier and Aaliyah Edwards, a staggering 63 former UConn players came home last night to give props to the best to ever do it, coach Auriemma.
Diana Taurasi pays tribute to Geno Auriemma pic.twitter.com/lMxJrtI5md
— UConn on SNY (@SNYUConn) November 21, 2024
With the court stacked to the brim with stars all celebrating Geno, it was only proper to give the GOAT a long-lasting gift to commemorate his career and achievements. Yeah sure, the jersey with the 1,217 number on the back was cute and all.
But screw that, in fitting fashion the best way to celebrate NCAAB’s coaching GOAT was to give him just that, a real-life goat!
UCONN. HUSKIES. pic.twitter.com/T90SWFuF8u
— UConn on SNY (@SNYUConn) November 21, 2024
The only question now is, what will coach Auiremma do with the goat? Maybe teach it to drop a smooth step back two?
