Geno Auriemma has been to the title game with UConn 12 times…. His one loss was to Dawn Staley’s South Carolina….

Geno Auriemma: 12 Title Game Appearances, One Loss to Dawn Staley’s South Carolina

Geno Auriemma’s name is etched into the very fabric of women’s college basketball history. As the head coach of the UConn Huskies since 1985, Auriemma has led his team to an unprecedented level of success. Twelve NCAA championship game appearances. Eleven national titles. Countless records shattered. But even legends have their defining rivalries, and for Auriemma, one of the most significant modern-day challengers to his reign has been South Carolina’s head coach, Dawn Staley.

Auriemma’s track record in championship games is nearly spotless. With a win-loss record of 11-1 in national title games, he has established a dynasty that every program in the country has tried to emulate. The lone blemish on that extraordinary record? A loss to South Carolina in 2022, coached by none other than Dawn Staley.

A Dynasty Forged in Dominance

UConn’s rise under Auriemma is nothing short of legendary. Starting with their first national title in 1995, the Huskies have gone on to win 11 championships, the most in NCAA women’s basketball history. Auriemma’s teams have been defined by elite recruiting, precise execution, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Players like Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart, and Paige Bueckers have all passed through Storrs and left as icons.

Under Auriemma, UConn has not just been dominant—they have often been untouchable. Many of their championship wins came by double-digit margins, and they’ve routinely entered the NCAA tournament as overwhelming favorites. Until South Carolina came along, Auriemma had an unblemished record in national title games.

The 2022 Showdown: A New Era Begins?

When UConn met South Carolina in the 2022 NCAA Championship game, it was billed as a clash of titans. Auriemma, the old guard, with decades of dominance behind him. Staley, the rising force in women’s basketball, building her own powerhouse in Columbia.

South Carolina controlled that game from start to finish. Led by dominant center Aliyah Boston and the steady leadership of Staley, the Gamecocks imposed their will on both ends of the court. UConn struggled to keep up with South Carolina’s physicality, defense, and rebounding. The 64-49 loss marked the first time Auriemma had been beaten on the sport’s biggest stage.

For Staley, it was more than just a win. It was a symbolic changing of the guard. It proved that the South Carolina program she had meticulously built could not only stand toe-to-toe with UConn, but beat them on the biggest stage. For Auriemma, it was a rare moment of defeat—one that reminded the basketball world that dynasties, no matter how powerful, are never untouchable.

Mutual Respect and Growing Rivalry

Despite the loss, Auriemma has often spoken highly of Staley and the work she’s done to elevate South Carolina. The two coaches represent different eras and styles, but they share a fierce competitiveness and a deep respect for the game.

“Dawn’s done an incredible job,” Auriemma said following that 2022 title game. “They were better than us in every way. They were prepared. They were hungry. And they earned it.”

Staley, likewise, has acknowledged what Auriemma means to women’s basketball, often crediting his success as a blueprint while emphasizing the need to carve out her own legacy.

The Big Picture: Auriemma’s Legacy Intact

One loss does not diminish Geno Auriemma’s greatness. In fact, it may enhance it. The mark of a true dynasty isn’t just winning—it’s maintaining excellence across decades, amidst evolving competition and increasing parity in the sport. Auriemma has done exactly that.

His 12 championship game appearances span four different decades. His ability to adapt to changes in the game, recruit elite talent year after year, and keep UConn at the forefront of the sport is unparalleled. While the loss to South Carolina stings, it also signals a new era in which UConn is no longer the only superpower—but remains a perennial contender.

Looking Ahead

As Auriemma continues to coach into his late 60s, questions about succession, future dominance, and the next generation of coaching talent often arise. But as long as he remains on the sidelines, UConn will be a threat to win it all.

And don’t think for a second that the loss to Staley is forgotten. With the rise of South Carolina and the emergence of other powerhouse programs like LSU and Iowa, the women’s college basketball landscape is deeper than ever. But Auriemma’s Huskies are still right there, chasing a 12th title—and perhaps, a rematch.

In the history books, 11-1 in national title games is still a statistic every coach in the country would envy. But that “1”? That belongs to Dawn Staley. And in the growing rivalry between two generational leaders, that lone defeat may be the fuel for Geno Auriemma’s next great chapter.