February 5, 2015 | Combined Reports - UConn Communications

Coach Auriemma Secures 900th Win in Record Time

The Hall of Fame Huskies women's basketball head coach earned his 900th career win this week, with a 96-36 victory over Cincinnati at Gampel Pavilion.

The Huskies women's basketball team celebrate head coach Geno Auriemma's 900th career win on the court of Gampel Pavilion, after beating the Cincinnati Bearcats 96-36. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)
The Huskies women’s basketball team celebrate head coach Geno Auriemma’s 900th career win on the court of Gampel Pavilion, after beating the Cincinnati Bearcats 96-36. (Stephen Slade ’89 (SFA) for UConn)

Hall of Fame women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma earned his 900th career win this week, with a 96-36 win over Cincinnati at Gampel Pavilion. And he achieved this milestone in just 1,034 games, fewer than any other college basketball coach, women’s or men’s.

Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma coaches from the sidelines during the game against Cincinnati Feb. 3. The 96-36 victory became his 900th career win. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)
Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma coaches from the sidelines during the game against Cincinnati Feb. 3. (Stephen Slade ’89 (SFA) for UConn)

The victory Tuesday evening brings Auriemma to a fifth-place tie on the women’s basketball list, along with Texas coach Jody Conradt, and behind former Tennessee coach Pat Summitt.

Auriemma, who has been the Huskies’ head coach for 30 years, also holds a record nine NCAA Championship titles. His winning percentage, .8704, is the best in the history of the women’s game.

When the news was posted on the Women’s Basketball Facebook page, fans immediately began offering their congratulations.

“Thanks Geno for 900 and the 899 before that!” Lorraine Dauphin posted. “You and the girls make winter bearable!”

UConn got off to a slow start early in the game but cruised through the second half, and the crowd began chanting ”Geno! Geno!” as the buzzer sounded.

“UConn has great fans that follow them not only in the local arenas but even to their out-of-state games,” wrote Mary Biron on Facebook. “CONGRATULATIONS TO GENO AND ALL … YOU EARNED AND DESERVE THIS HONOR.”

Since taking over the UConn women’s program before the 1985-86 season, head coach Geno Auriemma has led the Huskies to four undefeated seasons, nine national titles, and 15 Final Four appearances, and once led the program to a NCAA Division I basketball record 90-game win streak. (UConn Athletic Communications File Photo)
Since taking over the UConn women’s program before the 1985-86 season, head coach Geno Auriemma has led the Huskies to four undefeated seasons, nine national titles, and 15 Final Four appearances, and once led the program to a NCAA Division I basketball record 90-game win streak. (UConn Athletic Communications File Photo)

Former players appeared in a video message after the game, congratulating their coach. Coincidentally, Geno’s 900th win pitted him against former Husky player and assistant coach Jamelle Elliott, who is now the Bearcats’ head coach.

His current team wore shirts that said ”Geno Never Stops.” They also had on paper glasses that had the number 900 on them.

Freshman player Gabby Williams, who earned a career-high 16 points in the game, said, “It’s kind of like giving back to him. I know how hard he works, so for him to feel he’s getting something from me is a great feeling for me as well.”

After the game, Auriemma told the crowd that the season is not over.

”We’ve got a long way to go this year and a lot of work left to do,” Auriemma. ”I know this is 900, but there are six games in March that will mean as much as the previous 900, and they are the ones I’ll try to reach.”

One reader on CBS Sports website posted after the story about the game, “greate womcoch of all time,” a comment the reader later amended. “Missing several letters. Sorry to all. Auriemma is the greatest womens coach of all time.”

Either way, the message was clear.