Geno Auriemma shows true feelings as he discusses price of UConn success

Geno Auriemma admitted that his success as the head coach of UConn comes with a price.

Auriemma is one of the most accomplished coaches in basketball history , leading the Huskies to 11 national championships, the most in college basketball history.

He has also led UConn to six undefeated seasons and led the Huskies to five consecutive Final Fours from 2000-2004.

Aside from being one of the winningest coaches in NCAA women's basketball history, Auriemma also showed his mettle on arguably the biggest stage in basketball: the Olympics.

As coach of the United States Women's Basketball Team, the 70-year-old helped lead Team USA to three gold medals, in 2000, 2012 and 2016.

Geno Auriemma admits he has Paige Bueckers 'dilemma' at UConn Geno Auriemma says what everyone is thinking after latest Paige Bueckers display With all the success he's had in his career, it makes sense for those around him to celebrate his accomplishments, especially as he enters his 40th season with the university.

Still, having all the attention centered on him is a price he has to pay for how successful he's been, with a moment in 2006 during his Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony standing out.

"Looking out, I almost; I could speak.

It was really hard," he said of having all eyes on him, per CT Insider .

"I look back on it and I go, 'That's not what I wanted to say.' I was just mumbling (nonsense), I guess, I don't know.

Just saying words.

I lost complete (train of thought)." Auriemma also added that when UConn first began its run of dominance, the Huskies barely received any recognition for their work.

At the time, the legendary head coach confirmed it rubbed him the wrong way, seeing his team excel but still not getting the proper attention they deserved.

"It's funny when I thought we were getting really good, like in the 80s, going to our first Final Four in 1991, nobody gave a damn," he continued.

"Like we went to the Final Four and there was like one reporter and one guy with a camera.

And I thought, 'Man, how's this possible that nobody cares?' I was ------.

And then when we won a national championship in '95, we were on our way back, and we were on the bus.

And Jamelle (Elliott) said, This is like, O.J.

(Simpson), you know, with the helicopters and everything fun.

"And I said to (then-program administrator) Jeff Hathaway, I said, Hey, Jeff, is there any way that we can do what we just did and not have to deal with what we're going to have to deal with? and he said, No, there's no way.

And its been all downhill since then, to be honest with you.

Even though Auriemma's been at the helm for 40 years, the head coach believes less attention needs to be pointed his way.

Instead, he would rather have the spotlight aimed at his players because they actually are the ones performing on the court.

"I've never been comfortable," Auriemma said.

"I fake it pretty well.

I act like I do.

I act like I like it.

But I think the overall feeling that I've always had has always been the focus needs to be on the actual players that are actually playing.

But I also understand it.

Don't get me wrong.

I understand it." Auriemma and the Huskies will look to get the head coach's 40th year off on a good note when UConn takes on Boston University to kick off their season..

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