Women’s college basketball coach Geno Auriemma says that many of his colleagues on both the men’s and women’s side have become ‘afraid’ of their players after a number of them have been accused of verbal abuse.
The University of Connecticut coach, who in his more than 30 years on the sidelines has amassed the third-most career wins among all college women’s basketball coaches, lamented that ‘society has made [coaches] afraid of their players.’
‘The majority of coaches in America are afraid of their players,’ Auriemma told ESPN on Tuesday.
‘The NCAA, the athletic directors and society has made them afraid of their players.
Geno Auriemma, the head women's basketball coach at the University of Connecticut, says his colleagues in both the men's and women's game are 'afraid' of their players
‘Every article you read: “This guy’s a bully. This woman’s a bully. This guy went over the line. This woman was inappropriate”.
‘Yet the players get off scot-free in everything. They can do whatever they want.
‘They don't like something you say to them, they transfer.
‘Coaches, they have to coach with one hand behind their back.
‘Why? Because some people have abused the role of a coach.’
Auriemma is preparing to make his 20th appearance as a head coach in the NCAA Women’s Final Four.
His UConn Huskies will play Notre Dame on Friday night at 9pm at Amalie Arena in Tampa.
The first semifinal game between Oregon and Baylor will take place at 7pm. Both games will be televised by ESPN2.
College basketball’s latest controversy involves a number of coaches who have either been fired, placed on leave, or criticized due to accusations that they mistreated players.
On the men’s side, Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo was blasted on social media for berating one of his players, 19-year-old freshman Aaron Henry, during the team’s first round match-up at the NCAA Tournament on March 21.
Auriemma offered support for Michigan State coach Tom Izzo (left), who had to be restrained by his own players during the first round of the NCAA Tournament as he eviscerated a 19-year-old freshman Aaron Henry (right) on March 21
Immediately after the time out was whistled, Izzo charged onto the court and tapped Henry (far right) in the stomach before jabbing his finger in the 6foot6 guard's face. Guard Cassius Winston (No. 5 on the right) attempted to intervene and appeared to calm down Izzo somewhat
But after the players huddled up around Izzo moments later, the coach became enraged with Henry all over, only this time it took several players to contain him. As many as four players pulled Izzo back as he jumped out of his chair in Henry's direction
Izzo was so infuriated by Henry’s play that he needed to be restrained by several of his players while yelling at the freshman.
The head coach, when asked about the episode, said he was merely trying to hold his player accountable for a lack of effort.
On social media, critics noted that while head coaches like Izzo earn millions of dollars a year, the players
