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Caitlin Clark Predicts Geno Auriemma's Retirement Decision After UConn National Championship

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Spencer Ostrow | Last updated Apr 6, 2025 5:39 PM ET

The women's college basketball national championship was played on Sunday afternoon, and it featured two of the sport's biggest powerhouses: the South Carolina Gamecocks and the UConn Huskies.

For UConn head coach Geno Auriemma, it was a shot at capturing his 12th national title and extending his lead as the winningest coach in college basketball history.

The Huskies ended up blowing out South Carolina 82-59, and during the latter stages of the third quarter, Iowa Hawkeyes legend and current Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark joined WNBA icons Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi on ESPN’s alternate championship broadcast, "The Bird & Taurasi Show."

Clark predicted that Auriemma, now 71 and in his 40th season as a head coach, will lead UConn through 2026 before calling it a career.

"I mean, he's the all-time winningest coach," Auriemma said. "This is Year 40. He's got through Paige (Bueckers). I don't know, I think he has his thoughts blocked for Azzi (Fudd). I really think he does. I think he coaches one more after this with Azzi, and then maybe he heads out. I don't know."

Fudd is set to return to UConn for her final year of eligibility and played a key role in the Huskies’ national title run alongside Bueckers. She was named the 2025 Final Four Most Outstanding Player after scoring a combined 43 points over the last two games.

While Auriemma hasn't given any indication of when he might retire, it's possible he could ultimately align with Fudd’s exit to the WNBA.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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