Geno Auriemma Slams Critics and Signs Five-Year Contract Extension: A Bold Statement on His Future
In a decisive move that reaffirms his commitment to the sport, legendary basketball coach Geno Auriemma has signed a five-year contract extension with the University of Connecticut. This announcement comes in the wake of increasing pressure and criticism from detractors who have called for his retirement. Auriemma’s bold response to his critics underscores his dedication to the game and his unwavering confidence in his ability to continue leading the UConn Huskies to success.
Auriemma’s Response to Criticism
Geno Auriemma, the esteemed head coach of the UConn women’s basketball team, has been a dominant force in collegiate sports for decades. Under his leadership, the Huskies have secured multiple national championships and established themselves as a powerhouse in women’s basketball. Despite his illustrious career and numerous accolades, Auriemma has faced calls from some quarters suggesting it might be time for him to step down.
In a recent press conference, Auriemma took a strong stand against these critics, making it clear that he has no intention of retiring anytime soon. “I’ve heard the chatter, the suggestions that maybe it’s time for me to retire,” Auriemma said. “I’m here to set the record straight: I’m not going anywhere. I’m as committed to this program as ever, and I have no plans to step away from coaching.”
Geno Auriemma signs five-year contract extension
Photo: Ian Bethune
UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma signed a five-year contract extension through April 2029, athletic director David Benedict announced at the Coaches Road Show event on Monday.
The total deal is worth $18.7 million, broken down into a $400,000 base salary and an additional $2.94 million for speaking, consulting and media obligations that increases by $200,000 each season.
“I still find it hard to believe that I’ve been at UConn for over half my life. I feel like there’s so much more that can be done, and will be done, and I’m excited to be the one to do it with my staff and my team,” Auriemma said in a release. ”I’m probably as excited about these next few years as I’ve ever been over the last 40.”
“Geno has been such a mainstay at UConn that it’s impossible to overstate his lasting positive influence on our student-athletes, the women’s basketball program and Connecticut as a whole,” UConn President Radenka Maric said. “We know he has even more to demonstrate and teach all of us in the years ahead – not only about leading a world-class basketball program, but also about living a life of conviction, compassion, and service.”
Auriemma is about to enter his 40th season at the helm of the program. His 11 national champions are most of any Division I basketball coach — men’s or women’s — and he’ll become the all-time wins leader with just four victories in the upcoming campaign.
Earlier this offseason, the USBWA named its National Coach of the Year Award after Auriemma. He’s earned that honor six times.
Despite turning 70 this past March, the coach doesn’t plan on retiring anytime soon.
“Everyone else wanted [me] to retire and I wasn’t quite ready to do that,” Auriemma said at the Coaches Road Show. “Obviously there’s an end to this but in the meantime, you keep feeling like ‘I want to be around this kid for a couple of years’ and I know that’s going to go away — just not right now.”
