UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma has signed a five-year contract extension that will keep him in his role until the 2028-29 season. The announcement was made by the school on Tuesday, revealing that Auriemma will be the highest-paid women’s basketball coach in the country, earning $3.34 million for the first season with a $200,000 increase each subsequent year.
Auriemma, who is currently 70 years old, expressed his excitement about the extension, stating that he believes there is still much more that can be achieved under his leadership. He has been with UConn for over half of his life and feels motivated to continue making progress with his team and coaching staff. In fact, he claims to be more excited about the next few years than he has been in the last 40.
One significant milestone within Auriemma’s reach is surpassing former Stanford women’s basketball coach Tara VanDerveer as the all-time winningest coach in both men’s and women’s college basketball history. VanDerveer retired in April after setting the record of 1,216 wins in her 45-year coaching career. Auriemma is only four wins away from achieving this historic feat.
The upcoming 2024-25 season will mark Auriemma’s 40th season as a coach, with all of those seasons spent at UConn. When he reached the 1,200-win mark in February, joining VanDerveer and former Duke men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski as the only coaches to do so, Auriemma hinted at retirement. However, with this contract extension, it seems likely that he will have the opportunity to add at least another 100 wins to his record.
Auriemma’s coaching prowess was particularly evident during the previous season. Despite facing multiple injuries to key players and often having a limited roster available, he led the Huskies to a Final Four appearance. This achievement showcased his ability to adapt and motivate his team in challenging circumstances.
The success of the Huskies’ Final Four run can be attributed to the exceptional performances of players like Paige Bueckers, Aaliyah Edwards, and Nika Mühl. Bueckers, the former national player of the year, along with freshmen Ashlynn Shade and Azzi Fudd, will be returning for the upcoming season. Additionally, UConn has recruited top talent such as Sarah Strong, Allie Ziebel, Morgan Cheli, and Kaitlyn Chen to further strengthen their roster.
Looking ahead, if the Huskies can avoid significant injuries, they have a strong chance of competing for their 12th national title. The team’s depth and talent, combined with Auriemma’s coaching expertise and experience, make them a formidable force in women’s college basketball.
The five-year contract extension provides stability to the UConn program amidst a wave of retirements from veteran coaches at other institutions. With no obvious successor waiting in the wings, this extension sends a clear message that Auriemma is committed to the program and its future success. It also helps attract and retain talented players, as they can feel confident that they will be coached by one of the best in the business.
In conclusion, Geno Auriemma’s contract extension solidifies his position as the UConn women’s basketball coach until the 2028-29 season. It sets the stage for him to potentially become the all-time winningest coach in college basketball history and allows the Huskies to continue their pursuit of championships. With a talented roster and Auriemma’s leadership, UConn remains a dominant force in women’s college basketball.