Staley Embraces Close After Handshake Drama
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- Dawn Staley embraced and shook hands with UCLA coach Cori Close, also greeting Bruins assistants, before the national championship game — then turned to the crowd and lifted her hands with a smirk, as if ensuring everyone documented the moment
- Geno Auriemma confronted Staley in the closing seconds of South Carolina's Final Four win over UConn, angry that the two did not meet at midcourt for the post-lineup handshake as NCAA tournament protocol prescribes
- Auriemma said in his postgame news conference he waited at halfcourt for three minutes, and he later issued an apology for his public criticism
- Staley called the handshake drama 'disheartening' and said she wanted to focus on South Carolina's pursuit of a third national title in five seasons
- UCLA ultimately beat South Carolina in Sunday's title game, ending the Gamecocks' championship bid
- NCAA tournament operations policy states that after starting lineups are announced, the two coaches typically meet at midcourt and shake hands
Why it matters: The Auriemma-Staley handshake spat became the dominant subplot of the women's Final Four, overshadowing coverage of the games themselves and South Carolina's bid for a third national title in five seasons. Staley's deliberate, camera-facing embrace of Close signals that the tension with UConn will outlast this tournament, even as the actual title went to UCLA.
