UConn’s basketball legacy is practically a religion in Connecticut, where the men’s and women’s teams don’t just play—they dominate. Since 1999, they have clinched one of every three titles. This year, hopes were soaring considering the university had two of the most celebrated coaches: Geno Auriemma and Dan Hurley. Geno’s double-digit trophies spoke for themselves, while Dan Hurley was attentively looking for a three-peat.
While UConn’s women’s team did its part, defeating South Carolina 82-59, the men fell short. Dan Hurley was visibly heartbroken, and there were tears, plenty of them. “A lot of emotion, man,” Hurley said at his postgame news conference. However, Geno Auriemma is now making sure that the pride in Hartford does not vanish- probably throwing a lifeline to Hurley, who has been blaming himself and the program a fair share.
Hence, in the midst of it all, Auriemma stepped to the microphone. After claiming the women’s championship, he joked, “We’re now officially the parade capital of the world!” The crowd erupted, and the clip quickly went viral.
Geno Auriemma: “We’re now officially the parade capital of the world!”
— Maggie Vanoni (@maggie_vanoni) April 13, 2025
It is clear that for Geno, this wasn’t just about another banner. It was about continuing the return of a dynasty. When he took over UConn in 1985, the women’s program was barely a blip on the national radar. Just one winning season in school history. Now, UConn has made 36 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including 2025, and its tournament record stands at an astounding 142–24. In national championship games, Geno’s record is 12–1. The only loss? A tough 2022 title game to South Carolina. This year, UConn reclaimed the crown in the most emphatic way possible.
And that’s why Geno made his bold declaration — “There will be a four-peat, whether it’s the men’s or women’s.” He wasn’t just celebrating the present. He was already looking ahead, confident that UConn’s grip on college basketball isn’t slipping anytime soon. And isn’t that such a well thought-out, such a lovely nod to Dan Hurley’s efforts and legacy, too? He is counting him in his championship success, and he also staunchly believes in a deep run for him next year. It’s a promise that he knows Hurley can help him fulfill.
Hearing him say this, it does not come as a surprise that Geno and Dan Hurley have leaned on each other to build and sustain that winning culture.
When Hurley faced a rough patch early in the season, Geno was there to offer crucial advice. Hurley was frustrated, coaching out of anger, knowing his team wasn’t yet ready to compete for a championship. Geno’s perspective helped him refocus, reminding Hurley that coaching isn’t just about titles, but about the process and the growth of the players. “He saved my season from completely unraveling in November. So I owe a lot to Geno,” Hurley said, as reported by Yardbarker.
And before Hurley and the UConn men’s team first won their national title in 2023, he once again turned to Geno for guidance. The night before the final game, Hurley reached out to Geno for advice. Hurley, feeling the weight of the moment, needed reassurance and perspective from someone who had been through it all. Geno’s words that night helped Hurley focus, offering the calm and clarity he needed as the Huskies prepared for their showdown. The next day, UConn claimed the 2023 national title in a dominant win, and Hurley credited Geno’s advice as a crucial part of his mental preparation.
Geno said something that should probably be the most famous inspirational quote doing rounds on Instagram, yes, on everyone’s feed. “Cause if you win, you’re gonna be beside yourself to get back here. And if you lose, you’re gonna want to destroy everything you’ve done because it’s not good enough, and I got to get back here and prove that I can win this. It’s a no-win situation,” Auriemma told Hurley.
So, we know, the UConn legacy is not going anywhere. Next year, Hurley would have to read the above quote just once more to prepare himself and his team. As for Geno, he’s already begun.
Geno Auriemma’s Next Chapter Starts Now — Even As a Star Says Goodbye
Geno Auriemma didn’t hold back during Sunday’s championship parade. He waved to a sea of fans, laughed with his players, and soaked in every moment as UConn celebrated its 2025 national title. But even so, Geno’s mind was already on what’s next.
The biggest shift? Saying goodbye to Paige Bueckers.
Bueckers, the heart of this championship run and the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft, leaves a massive void. But Auriemma’s not starting from scratch — far from it. Azzi Fudd, the fourth-year guard, has already announced she’ll return for one final run in 2025–26. After battling injuries the past two seasons, Fudd is determined to finish strong.
Then there’s freshman phenom Sarah Strong, who lit up the NCAA Tournament with a record-breaking 114 points — the most ever by a UConn freshman. With Fudd’s leadership and Strong’s rising dominance, the Huskies are in good hands. Even as Bueckers departs, there’s plenty of reason to believe the program’s championship window is still wide open.
He also knows what he has to look at first when the season comes. “We were incorporating so many new faces that we struggled a little bit to find our rhythm and our chemistry,” Auriemma told CBS Mornings. It wasn’t until a late-season win at South Carolina that he realized how far this group could go.
There’s some uncertainty, too. “I don’t know how much longer I can do it,” Auriemma admitted. “But it’s been one heck of a journey.” So, as long as he’s still coaching UConn, we know we have nothing to worry about. And even if he departs, we are sure we will keep seeing glimpses of his slight smile after gently roasting a Husky.
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