Geno Auriemma on coaching Paige Bueckers and their relationship
Yahoo Sports Daily hosts Caroline Fenton and Jason Fitz are joined by UConn Huskies women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma to discuss his relationship with Paige Bueckers and what it was like coaching her. Watch the full episode of Yahoo Sports Daily on YouTube or YahooSports.TV .
Video Transcript
But I think one scene in particular that's gotten the most traction is a scene where Paige Bueckers was talking about your criticisms of her in a, in a film session after the Tennessee loss.
She said that she considered leaving the team, that you two didn't speak for several weeks after that.
When you look back on that interaction with Paige, would you have done anything differently?
No.
I, I might have, Like if she was younger, if, if we hadn't been through what we've been through, she and I for going on five years now, I may have done it a different way.
But, you know, Paige and I have been through every thing you can imagine, every high that you can possibly think of except winning a national championship.
Every low that, you know, c- can exist in a relationship between a player and a coach over five years.
And we have talked about all these things for a long, long time, you know, over and over and over again.
And I felt like we were at a point right then and there where it's nothing's gonna change unless I do something that is gonna force a change.
And, you know, because of our relationship, it wasn't like, "Boy, are you taking a big risk.
She might leave or she might do this."
I laughed when I saw that.
I'm like, "Where you going?"
You know?
That's like me saying, "Hey, Paige, I don't like the way you're doing so I'm leaving.
I'm gonna go coach somewhere else."
No, you're not.
I'm gonna f- You know, we're gonna figure this out together and see where this takes us.
So I got a kick outta, you know, "I don't wanna be here anymore.
I'm gonna leave."
She This the best she's ever played ever s- Ever r- Right after that.
And you know the other thing that was happened, that happened that was the best thing that ever happened?
She didn't talk to me for like two weeks.
I was like in heaven.
It's the best I coached- for two weeks
