Dawn Staley Responds to Geno Auriemma with Statue Speech: “It Wasn’t Just About a Championship”
During a statue unveiling ceremony in her honor on Wednesday, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley appeared to take a pointed shot at UConn’s Geno Auriemma, fueling speculation of an ongoing rivalry between the two legendary figures in women’s college basketball.
The tension seems to stem from comments Auriemma made back in April during UConn’s national championship parade, following their 12th title win.
“Most other places, if you win one national championship, they build a statue for you outside the building,” Auriemma said to the Storrs crowd. “Here, they won’t even let you get to the front of the bus.”
The remark was widely interpreted as a dig at A’ja Wilson, who led South Carolina to a national title in 2017 and received a statue outside Colonial Life Arena in 2021.
Staley, speaking at her own statue unveiling on the University of South Carolina campus, didn’t shy away from addressing the subtle jab.
“Contrary to the belief of one of my coaching colleagues, her statue wasn’t in response to winning a national championship,” Staley said. “It was in response to being a winner at life. It’s a tribute to a hometown hero.”
On a recent episode of The Hoops Cap Pod, analysts Mark Zenetto and Tee Baker dissected the public back-and-forth, with Baker expressing excitement about the growing rivalry.
“I think South Carolina fans always want a reason to attack Geno — and that’s what happens to winners,” Baker said. “They get attacked, they get the smoke. So you don’t have that level of success without having some criticism and some people firing back at you.”
“I’m so curious about if they talk outside of this … how they function in a personal relationship,” Baker added. “But in terms of professional, just the competitiveness and stroking those flames, I absolutely love it.”
Beyond the headlines, Staley emphasized the deeper meaning behind her statue — particularly its symbolic value for future generations.
“I agreed to the statue, not for me, but for the girl who will walk by one day and wonder who I was,” Staley shared. “Maybe she’ll look me up. She’ll see that I did.”
𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲:
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀. 𝗜 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝘂𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺, 𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂.Bestseller #1
- PREMIUM QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP: Constructed with high-grade ceramic material featuring vibrant team colors and logo, this…
- OFFICIALLY LICENSED NFL MERCHANDISE: Show your team spirit with Official branding, meticulously designed with precise lo…
- VERSATILE DAILY USE: Perfect for hot or cold beverages, this generously-sized 18oz mug is microwave and dishwasher safe,…
$6.62Bestseller #2
- OFFICIALLY LICENSED COLLECTIBLE: Show your team spirit with this 15oz ceramic camping mug, featuring a vibrant NFL team …
- PREMIUM CERAMIC CONSTRUCTION: Expertly crafted from high-grade ceramic materials. 15oz capacity perfect for hot or cold …
- VERSATILE DESIGN FOR ANY OCCASION: Ideal for morning coffee, tailgating events, camping trips, or office use. Microwave …
$17.04
Since taking over the program in 2008, Dawn Staley has transformed South Carolina into a powerhouse, capturing three national championships and becoming one of the most respected voices in women’s sports.
