Auriemma, 71, calls winning the title 'totally worth it.'

 TAMPA, Fla. — UConn coach Geno Auriemma playfully remarked that he might be the oldest coach to ever win a Division I basketball title, men's or women's, after the Huskies secured their 12th championship on Sunday.

"Well, all those other coaches had the good sense to not stick around until they were 71," Auriemma quipped following UConn's 82-59 victory over South Carolina at Amalie Arena.

Auriemma also claimed his 10th title at this venue in 2015. A year later, UConn won again in Indianapolis, securing a fourth consecutive championship and concluding Breanna Stewart's remarkable career at UConn.

"There was a part of my inner circle that thought after Stewie's fourth title I should have retired," Auriemma admitted. "It would’ve been fitting—just ride off into the sunset."

But, he explained, he decided to keep going. Over the next several years, however, some suggested it was time for someone else to take the reins as UConn wasn’t quite the same powerhouse it once was. Despite the doubts, Auriemma kept pushing forward, eventually leading UConn to a championship eight years later, after a series of near-misses.

In the span between Stewart's final championship and Sunday’s win, UConn reached the Final Four every year except 2023, when star Paige Bueckers was sidelined with a knee injury. Meanwhile, other teams, like South Carolina, Notre Dame, Baylor, Stanford, and LSU, captured titles.

With Bueckers and guard Azzi Fudd both dealing with significant injuries over the past few years, UConn hadn't been at full strength until now. Auriemma acknowledged that staying healthy was key to this season's success.

That success was evident on Sunday, as the Huskies defeated their third No. 1 seed in this tournament. UConn dominated its Final Four matchups, winning by a combined 57 points. Bueckers, Fudd, and freshman Sarah Strong were named to the all-tournament team, with Fudd earning Final Four MVP honors. Together, they scored 65 points against South Carolina and 57 points against UCLA in the semifinals.

For Auriemma, this title marked his 24th Final Four appearance and a 12-1 record in championship games, with his only loss coming in 2022 to South Carolina.

Auriemma, who turned 71 just two weeks ago, became the oldest coach to win a women’s title. The previous record was held by Stanford’s Tara VanDerveer, who was 67 in 2021. UConn’s Jim Calhoun holds the record for the oldest men’s title-winning coach, having been 68 in 2011.

Auriemma reflected on his age, saying he’s often thought about retiring, but the joy of coaching keeps him going.

"We all feel our age," he said. "But being around these young athletes keeps you feeling young. It rubs off on me. I may be 71 in numbers, but I feel like I can still keep up with them."

Despite his positive outlook, Auriemma acknowledged that the demands of coaching are difficult, and the time may come when the fun of the job no longer outweighs the challenges.

For now, though, Auriemma seems content to continue leading UConn, a program he has helmed since 1985. He credits the players for his continued success.

"When I tell you it’s all in the hands of the players, it really is true," Auriemma said. "They made all of this possible."