When Caitlin Clark was having a tough time during the first 11 games of the WNBA this year, the University of Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma remarked that Clark wasn’t built for the physicality of the league. He had even called out her fans for being “delusional.” As per him, the Iowa alum would take time to adjust to the WNBA level. However, as the season progressed Clark started adjusting to the W and finally gained back her form.

And now that she is on the verge of winning the Rookie of the Year award, many of her fans have come forward to slam Auriemma and one such admirer is a former ESPN analyst who labeled the UConn head coach as “arrogant.” Dan Dakich was present on his podcast Outkick when he shared his take on Auriemma’s statements on Friday. A candid Dakich gave Auriemma a reality check and didn’t mince any words while calling him for bias.

“Couldn’t be more wrong. You know Geno Auriemma see the Old coach, the old coach. The old coach sits there and I’ve coached the best, I’ve pi–ed them off. I have… I..I..I..I.. oh my a– shut the f–k up. You’re an arrogant clown now. And you like a god dang fool. I’ve coached the best. I’ve done this. I’ve done that. I… I… I… I.. okay Geno, how’s that working out? Geno baby you probably have coached the best but he got to throw I’m a tough guy. I’ve pis-ed them off… Well let’s show it. Let’s go through what Geno Auriemma his dumb arrogant a– most career,” Dakich stated via the Outkick.

Auriemma had made an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show in June and enunciated that Clark had a “delusional fan base” who had “disrespected the WNBA players by saying that she’s gonna go in that league and tear it apart.” He had also taken a jibe at her followers by expressing that Clark “was set up for failure right from the beginning.”

He also criticized them for being “disrespectful and so unknowledgeable and so stupid” in underestimating the star power in the league since they believed that Clark would ace it. Clark who was drafted as the number one pick this season by the Indiana Fever “needs(ed) to be on a better team,” as per Auriemma. The 6-foot baller wasn’t “built for the physicality of this league,” and for Auriemma “she’s not quick enough to get away from the physicality.”

These statements were made in the aftermath of lowly performances from Clark and a shoulder push from the Chicago Sky star Chennedy Carter that had sent the number one pick of the 2024 WNBA to the ground. Interestingly, it is not only Dakich who is criticizing Auriemma.

Nick Wright slams Geno Auriemma

The Fox analyst Nick Wright had taken a dig at the 11x National Championship-winning coach on Thursday. According to Wright, Auriemma had behaved ruthlessly with Clark and her fans since his mentee Paige Bueckers didn’t declare for the draft. For the record, Bueckers, known for her on-court brilliance in the NCAA 2023-24 season, was expected to be drafted in the top 3 picks by analysts. However, the Huskies star on her senior night revealed her intention to go back to the Storrs for one more season.

And notably, Clark then occupied one of the spots that Bueckers could have landed as per Wright. “Geno, just say you’re a UConn guy and you thought this was going to be Paige and instead it’s Caitlin,” Wright had expressed. And as per Wright, Auriemma had belittled Clark since Bueckers wasn’t in the W.

Whether Auriemma did it out of likeness for Bueckers or he was stating the facts straight is something that needs to be determined. However, what is clear at this point in time is that Clark has shut her critics up with her skills and determination.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.