“We have a very difficult job because we’re dealing with young people”: When $18 million worth Geno Auriemma talked about thoughts of leaving UConn
Geno Auriemma has established himself as one of the key figures in UConn's women's basketball program during his tenure as its head coach. In four decades at Storrs, Auriemma has lead the Huskies to incredible highs, leading them to 11 national championships.
However, Auriemma has also faced his fair share of struggles during the journey, and has previously acknowledged that he had, at times, asked himself when the right time to step away would be. One such instance happened in 2017, a year after the Huskies won their last national championship to date.
During an appearance on 'In Depth With Graham Bensinger,' Auriemma, who has amassed a net worth of $18 million (per Celebrity Net Worth), revealed how he had thoughts of leaving the Huskies over the years due to the difficulties that come with the job and how players have given him different responses over the years.
"That happens a lot where you question yourself," said Geno Auriemma. "Not as much now, but there's still times now when you question whether you want to keep doing this.
"We have a very difficult job because we're dealing with young people. And, what makes it difficult is you don't know which buttons to push to get the right response. Here's what I'm used to: if I go like this, and you respond a certain way, now I know, okay, this is what I'm gonna get.
"What do you do when you're a coach and you go, yeah and you get (silence)? And then you hit that one and you get (silence)? Now you're out of buttons and after a month, and you get (silence). You go hide under the bleachers and you hope they fall down on you because you just are out.
"When I push a button, I want a response. Good, bad, I don't care. But, when I hit a button and I get back, dead, that's coaching hell for coaches."
Geno Auriemma made history during the 2024-25 season
Seven years on from that interview, Geno Auriemma scripted history during his 40th season at the helm of UConn. On Nov. 20, 2024, the Huskies scored a dominant 85-41 victory over the FDU Knights, which was Auriemma's 1,217th Division I win.
That victory made him the winningest coach in men's and women's college basketball history, surpassing retired Stanford Cardinal head coach Tara VanDerveer.
Geno Auriemma's side look on course to a fifth Big East regular season title in a row, winning all six of their games in conference play so far. However, their focus firmly remains on ending their nine-year national championship drought.