Nearly two years ago to the day, UConn women’s basketball celebrated Geno Auriemma’s 1,000th career win against Oklahoma at Mohegan Sun Arena. Fast forward to 2019 and the Huskies will be facing the same opponent at the same venue, but this time without Auriemma. The coach is sidelined after undergoing a minor surgical procedure to “alleviate symptoms caused by diverticulitis.”
In his place, associate head coach Chris Dailey takes the reigns as the interim boss until Auriemma is well enough to return. This isn’t the first time that’s happened — Dailey is 9-0 while handling coaching duties over three separate stints since 1989 — but the long-time assistant admitted this time will be a little different.