Geno Auriemma comments hint Paige Bueckers could influence UConn retirement decision

UConn womens basketball coach Geno Auriemma previously hinted that Paige Bueckers departure for the WNBA could play a role in his retirement decision .

While speaking at a community breakfast last March, Auriemma conceded that he wouldve stepped down as Huskies head coach had Bueckers opted to enter her name in the 2024 WNBA Draft.

The guard ultimately decided to return to UConn for her senior year , during which she averaged 19.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists over 32 games.

One [WNBA eligible player] is coming back, Auriemma said at the time, per the CT Insiders Maggie Vanoni .

I mean its gonna be my 40th year.

It only would have been 39 if [Bueckers] wasnt coming back.

Around the time that Bueckers initially voiced her commitment to UConn for the 2024-25 campaign, Auriemma asserted that working with the First Team All-American and other stars that come through his program is why he continues coaching.

As for his own historic legacy in college basketball, the 71-year-old couldnt care less about it.

"Well, then you delude yourself.

You become delusional, Auriemma said.

Because if I say to the kids were recruiting, Listen, weve won 11 national championships and winning a 12th doesnt change my life one iota? Do you think my legacy is going to change because we won 12 instead of 11?' "Who cares? However, if you come here and Paige [Bueckers] says, Coach Auriemma helped me win my only national championship and I'm really grateful for that - OK, let me see if I can see this through.

And if it happens, great.

If it doesn't you go, Got to go.

But do you really want to leave that kid? And theres always another kid and another kid after that.

Over a decorated career thats lasted the better part of four decades, Auriemma has won 11 national championship rings and three Olympic gold medals while standing as college basketballs all-time winningest coach.

With little else to prove, the UConn program staple admitted that he cant put his finger on the reason why he continues to coach.

"Ive tried to look at all the reasons why people do step away.

Its certainly past my prime, to be honest with you, Auriemma told USA Todays Blake Toppmeyer last month.

I never set out to be doing this, period, and certainly never set out to be here for 40 years.

To answer that question: I dont know.

I dont know.

I enjoy what Im doing, to a point.

I enjoy the competition.

I enjoy the preparation that goes into it.

I dont enjoy a lot of whats going on right now, and I think a lot of my contemporaries have seen where its going and dont want any part of it.

Im sure Ill get there at some point - just not right now.

So long as Auriemma - who inked an extension with UConn last summer that runs through the 2028-29 season - gets enjoyment out of his job, he doesnt plan on going anywhere.

"I would say the things that keep me going are that I still find some satisfaction in what Im doing.

Thats probably the biggest thing for me, he said.

"Its not like I need to do it or have to do it.

I just still find some satisfaction.

Its a challenge, though.".

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