NIL for collegiate students has been a boon and a bane. But apparently, the coaches cannot say the same. When the law was introduced in 2021, it was speculated that the players would invest in their training, ultimately leading them to be better sportspersons. However, three years down the line, the state-to-state policies have become difficult for coaches. With athletes transferring to different programs, and various schools luring them in for the same reason, things have been getting tricky in the NCAA.

Recently, the Virginia Cavaliers head coach Tony Bennett resigned after facing these challenges. Now, with the same cycle repeating for the UConn Husky Paige Bueckers, Geno Auriemma too had a few difficult words to say.

On Friday’s media session with Storrs Central, Auriemma reflected on Bennett’s retirement, hinting that he is also about to call it a day. “Yeah. I don’t want to speak for anybody else. But from my standpoint, the challenges that exist now are way different, way more challenging than anything that I’ve experienced in the 4 years that I’ve been here. There’s never been a time when this many things are changing and this many things are impacting your ability to do your job. Because so much of it is out of your control,” Auriemma stated.

Bennett, on Friday, suddenly announced his retirement decision, describing himself as “a square peg in a round hole.” He cited the NIL era and the transfer portal issues as the reason behind his decision. “I looked at myself and I realized, I’m no longer the best coach to lead this program,” the 55-year-old enumerated. He further added that a “half-hearted” effort wasn’t the best way to lead “university and those young men.” 

“You know I think not all coaches are control freaks, you know. But coaches like to know that they can control. What they can control and if each year what you can control is less and less impactful for the success of your team, it makes it difficult. I don’t care whether you’ve been in it 40 years or 4 years, you know. The changes that we’re going through right now are unheard of,” Auriemma concluded.

Talking about the new era, the 2019 NCAA Championship-winning coach expressed that “the game and college athletics is not in a healthy spot.” And “I think I was equipped to do the job here the old way.” However, going away from the NCAA, he thanked his staff that “has buoyed me along to get to this point.” Therefore, with the NIL heavily influencing Bueckers, some opine that this might be Auriemma’s last season.

Geno Auriemma has reached the end of his career at Storrs

After UConn’s run ended last season with a Final Four loss against Caitlin Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes, the Huskies’ official Instagram handle posted a couple of snaps of the 11x NCAA title-winning coach. Apart from that, they also shared a video where Auriemma was recalling his early days with the Huskies. This led to a lot of people speculating if he would retire. While the Italy-born did not announce any major decision, this time, with Bennett’s retirement and Bueckers NIL growth, his retirement seems to be an unavoidable reality.

Bueckers’ NIL currently stands at $1.4 million. She has deals with Nike, Madison Reed, and Unrivaled among others. This might also increase the NIL further when the 3×3 league starts since the athletes are given a part in the ownership of Breanna Stewart’s brainchild. While Bueckers won’t be transferring anywhere since she skipped this year’s WNBA draft, only to have a go at her dream with the Huskies, the NIL heavily penetrating might pose a problem for Auriemma.

When Auriemma’s rumors of retirement were rife, college basketball analyst Chantel Jennings revealed that the college has a succession plan in place. “In addition to (Shea) Ralph, Jamelle Elliott is still on staff and should be given a look. Outside of the current staff, I’d imagine Carla Berube — UConn grad and current Princeton coach — would be high on the list,” she stated.

Therefore, if Jennings’ words are true, then Shea Ralph is the prime candidate and can succeed Auriuemma, especially since she has played with the Huskies from 1996-2001 and hence knows the ins and outs of the program. But as of now, if Auriemma is leaving, then fans would want him to end this upcoming season on a winning note, the perfect conclusion to his 40 years of glory.