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Geno: In Pursuit of Perfection
Controversial, confrontational, and driven, Coach Geno Auriemma is a force to be reckoned with - and the most accomplished male coach in women's basketball today. In his relentless quest for excellence at the University of Connecticut, he has led the Huskies to five national championships. "Yet his soul never rests. For Auriemma, life affords only the briefest moments of happiness - a good round of golf, forty minutes of great basketball, a day at the beach with his family, a nice glass of wine - while disaster is seemingly always waiting to strike. It's a fatalistic philosophy, a remnant of his hardscrabble early years, but it's an outlook that has driven him to unparalleled success." "In this deeply personal memoir, Geno Auriemma reveals for the first time the man behind the legend. He talks candidly about his coaching style - famed for being one of the most demanding in all the sports world. He spills the beans about his stormy dealings with other coaches such as his archrival, Pat Summitt of the University of Tennessee. And with warmth and a genuine love for his champions, he writes openly about Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Nykesha Sales, Rebecca Lobo, Swin Cash, and all of his other UConn stars who have gone on to stellar WNBA careers. You get a courtside seat to all of the action - including an epilogue on the 2004-05 season, as well as interviews with the team's most celebrated players."--BOOK JACKET.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 3, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 15, 2019
This misery-inducing memoir of a narcissist, misogynist, and borderline psychopath chronicles the egregious abuses and heinous behaviors of Geno Auriemma, head coach of the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team and architect of the first WNBA farm team. The rambling, 300-page rant is awkwardly voiced in the present tense with a tone of impunity, laden with expletives and full of vindictiveness.
Auriemma badmouths other coaches, gloating about routs and blowouts. Enabled by impotent athletic directors, he mentally, emotionally, and physically abuses players, forcing them to bend to his will, endlessly taunting them, and making them play hurt. In typical braggadocio fashion, he boasts of his power over players with blatant hints of sexual abuse, such as the creepy pillow talk and kisses with “Dee” and the outrageously inappropriate shower scene. He revels in the misfortunes of those who chose to play at other schools or didn’t put out for him, vilifying the women who refused to be abused. Some of the worst abuse is aimed at assistant Chris Dailey, who is his favorite punching bag—often on the sidelines in front of the entire bench in plain sight of the referees on national TV. Yet his victims and apologists continue to defend him. Taurasi’s Foreword smacks of Stockholm syndrome, and MacMullan’s Afterword apologia wins a Pulitzer for BS.
Geno is a story about winning at all costs, including all sense of moral decency, told by an insufferable lout and consummate victim who insists on inflicting his internal torment on others, often just for sport. The NCAA truly made a deal with the devil by letting Auriemma routinely violate rules in exchange for developing the first WNBA farm team. Someday, one of the players or assistant coaches will muster the courage to break the code of silence (omertà) and tell the real story behind the pretense of “perfection.” Until hell freezes over, Geno is unlikely to be the pentito.
Auriemma badmouths other coaches, gloating about routs and blowouts. Enabled by impotent athletic directors, he mentally, emotionally, and physically abuses players, forcing them to bend to his will, endlessly taunting them, and making them play hurt. In typical braggadocio fashion, he boasts of his power over players with blatant hints of sexual abuse, such as the creepy pillow talk and kisses with “Dee” and the outrageously inappropriate shower scene. He revels in the misfortunes of those who chose to play at other schools or didn’t put out for him, vilifying the women who refused to be abused. Some of the worst abuse is aimed at assistant Chris Dailey, who is his favorite punching bag—often on the sidelines in front of the entire bench in plain sight of the referees on national TV. Yet his victims and apologists continue to defend him. Taurasi’s Foreword smacks of Stockholm syndrome, and MacMullan’s Afterword apologia wins a Pulitzer for BS.
Geno is a story about winning at all costs, including all sense of moral decency, told by an insufferable lout and consummate victim who insists on inflicting his internal torment on others, often just for sport. The NCAA truly made a deal with the devil by letting Auriemma routinely violate rules in exchange for developing the first WNBA farm team. Someday, one of the players or assistant coaches will muster the courage to break the code of silence (omertà) and tell the real story behind the pretense of “perfection.” Until hell freezes over, Geno is unlikely to be the pentito.
February 11, 2018
Geno the man is so much more interesting than Geno the myth. I've known that for a long time, but this book is both deeply personal and incredibly insightful about the most decorated college basketball coach of all time. To think that he was already considered one of the best in 2006 with five national championships and he's gone on to win six more...
June 30, 2025
Look, don’t read this book having decided already what you think it should contain. I’m not particularly endeared to Auriemma but I respect his contribution to elevating women’s basketball, particularly with the great UConn players that have gone on to have amazing careers – especially Diana Taurasi. That was my main reason for reading this book: I wanted to know more about Diana and here is her college coach, telling me exactly about that.
I think this book could have benefitted from better editing, so many words and phrases, perhaps being written in a different time, come across as awkward and not quite meaning what the slang used to mean (often feeling like some weird double entendre.) The choice to write in present tense was also not my favorite, but honestly, I forgot about it soon as I got engrossed with reading.
Is this a book that makes you like Geno? Not really. Is this a book that makes you hate him? I don’t think so, either. It sort of feels like a book of grappling with himself, realizing he has an audience and pivoting with the reflections, and then doing it all over again. Of course, reading this in 2025 colors it a bit, because it ends on a note long written by the time I read it.
A quick Google search would show just how far Auriemma has come as a women’s basketball coach and all that entails. Recently, UConn has won a national championship, their first in a while, and his star player, Paige Bueckers, is the first pick of the 2025 WNBA Draft. Like him or hate him, this is a man who has much to show for his years doing what he does and being good at it.
For a memoir, this isn’t a book that truly enables me to make a judgement about Geno as a person. I feel for him after reading this book what I felt before it. One thing’s for sure, however. Indeed, you can’t mention women’s basketball and not have to mention Geno Auriemma.
I think this book could have benefitted from better editing, so many words and phrases, perhaps being written in a different time, come across as awkward and not quite meaning what the slang used to mean (often feeling like some weird double entendre.) The choice to write in present tense was also not my favorite, but honestly, I forgot about it soon as I got engrossed with reading.
Is this a book that makes you like Geno? Not really. Is this a book that makes you hate him? I don’t think so, either. It sort of feels like a book of grappling with himself, realizing he has an audience and pivoting with the reflections, and then doing it all over again. Of course, reading this in 2025 colors it a bit, because it ends on a note long written by the time I read it.
A quick Google search would show just how far Auriemma has come as a women’s basketball coach and all that entails. Recently, UConn has won a national championship, their first in a while, and his star player, Paige Bueckers, is the first pick of the 2025 WNBA Draft. Like him or hate him, this is a man who has much to show for his years doing what he does and being good at it.
For a memoir, this isn’t a book that truly enables me to make a judgement about Geno as a person. I feel for him after reading this book what I felt before it. One thing’s for sure, however. Indeed, you can’t mention women’s basketball and not have to mention Geno Auriemma.
September 5, 2021
Geno, In Pursuit of Perfection provids the reader a brief history of him prior to his success at Connecticut. His up bringing, starting in Italy, immigration, school, college and the road map of the stops that lead him to Storr, CT. From that point it's a history of how he developed and shaped the program into a year in and year out success that has produce a number of National Championships, All-American's, All-Conference and wolrd class leaders in sports, broadcasting, coaching and most important life. Through out he talks about how he approaches players not as women who are good but who want to be great and how he pushes them to break through their own personal barriers to achieve the highest level. He doesn't coddle or pamper them. He shoots straigth even if it offends you but the success if part of the madness. History proves that out. He doesn't like whiners. He wants people who can listen, learn and grow. He talks about the pampered H.S. athlete who gets smoke blown up their butts during the recruiting process yet when you arrive on campus you're just another person. He indicates he offers nothing up front other than your effort will dictate when and where and how often you MIGHT play. It's a good read for coaches but more important might be better for H.S. recruits. Provide an insight of what life might be like in college.
July 18, 2025
Reading this book 20 years after it's written was really interesting, and there definitely needs to be another one because in this universe Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, Paige Bueckers all don't exist.
Focused largely on the growth of the UConn dynasty, I found it incredibly to read about a few different things. The first was Rebecca Lobo- Geno talks about everyone being jealous of her for being the face of women's basketball (does this sound familiar...?), it really shows that everything is copy and that these narratives around jealousy in women's sports are tales as old as time, we just have more social media now. Second, it was really cool to read about players from the program who remain crucial to the growth of the sport- not just Diana and Sue, but also Barbara Turner and Shea Ralph. UConn has produced so much talent and the family tree is massive. Finally, you may not always agree with Geno, but you cannot deny the support and love he has for his players. This book talked about how he had become "soft" since he started...well 20 years later I'd love to compare.
Focused largely on the growth of the UConn dynasty, I found it incredibly to read about a few different things. The first was Rebecca Lobo- Geno talks about everyone being jealous of her for being the face of women's basketball (does this sound familiar...?), it really shows that everything is copy and that these narratives around jealousy in women's sports are tales as old as time, we just have more social media now. Second, it was really cool to read about players from the program who remain crucial to the growth of the sport- not just Diana and Sue, but also Barbara Turner and Shea Ralph. UConn has produced so much talent and the family tree is massive. Finally, you may not always agree with Geno, but you cannot deny the support and love he has for his players. This book talked about how he had become "soft" since he started...well 20 years later I'd love to compare.
August 22, 2022
I think Auriemma is a good coach but it's clear that he craves power and I'm not sure how well that would work in a more collaborative workplace. He's only grandfathered into his position as UConn's head coach. He'd have to act more responsibly if he started in 2022. There are some good lessons in there, and terrific tales of the early days of building the program. But some of his advice needs to be taken with a grain of salt. the need for power and control seeth through the words and doesn't represent a well-rounded leader in today's world.
January 29, 2018
Excellent account of what makes Geno and the UConn Women's Basketball program tick. It was interesting to know how Geno built the program, along with Chris Dailey, into what it is today. Now I want Jackie MacMullen and Geno to come together again and give us the next installment: 2006 to 2017!
September 23, 2019
Like Geno a lot. Tough on his players with ultimate goal being to get the most out of them.
July 4, 2020
Fun read, couldn’t put it down
January 22, 2025
Goated is all I will say love his story and UConn Women’s basketball. Go Huskies !
April 13, 2025
This guy is so arrogant. I love it.
November 1, 2013
Ever since I was young I always watched the UConn women's basketball games with my family. Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Tina Charles, Sue Bird, I loved them all. My current favorite player is Breanna Stewart, and that started even before her incredible run in the National Semifinals in April 2013. Now that the season is only a few days away, I decided to review my favorite book of all time.
Auriemma is an incredible coach. If they are down at halftime, he knows the thing to tell them so they come out firing on all cylinders when the second half of play begins. The part that is even more incredible is the story of how he got to the top of the coaching heirarchy. No spoilers here, but I'm just going to say that it is amazing. This details behind the scenes of everything that went on behind each and every team from the time that Auriemma first started at Connecticut to about 2006, or 2009 (depending on the version) I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the teams, and the struggles Auriemma faced with them, and how they celebrated with every win and rebounded with every loss. I could not have enjoyed this book any more, and I have re read it at least 50 times. If you love UConn girls basketball, you will DEFINITELY enjoy actually being able to know what Auriemma is thinking when he makes those ridiculous faces on the court.
Auriemma is an incredible coach. If they are down at halftime, he knows the thing to tell them so they come out firing on all cylinders when the second half of play begins. The part that is even more incredible is the story of how he got to the top of the coaching heirarchy. No spoilers here, but I'm just going to say that it is amazing. This details behind the scenes of everything that went on behind each and every team from the time that Auriemma first started at Connecticut to about 2006, or 2009 (depending on the version) I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the teams, and the struggles Auriemma faced with them, and how they celebrated with every win and rebounded with every loss. I could not have enjoyed this book any more, and I have re read it at least 50 times. If you love UConn girls basketball, you will DEFINITELY enjoy actually being able to know what Auriemma is thinking when he makes those ridiculous faces on the court.
April 16, 2013
Growing up 20 minutes away from the UConn campus in Storrs Connecticut I have seen Geno Auriemma more than once and have grown up idolizing his players. This book gives an inside look on the magic that is UConn Women's basketball and how Geno and the girls have achieved the level of success that they have. Athletes and basketball players should praise and practice the ideas that Geno presents in this book. In addition to the advice and secrets to success this book gives a story of Geno's ups and downs in life and as a coach. Not only does it teach readers how to be successful on the court but how to have a positive and hard-working attitude in everything you do in life.
January 2, 2011
Fascinating as a biography of a highly accomplished man and a close look into how he took UConn from a backwater to the second best program in women's basketball (based on number of national championships). I somewhat changed my opinion of Geno, which had been based on hearsay. I hope someday he'll write a book giving insights into the game itself, because mouth and swagger aside, he's a brilliant coach.
August 10, 2014
I grew up watching the UConn Women's Basketball success, specifically Diana Taurasi. Reading about his mentality brought to life a guy who is repeatedly characterized as an emotionless guy.
His tough as nails attitude is indicative of a classical mindset, rather than a more progressive attitude. Nonetheless it illuminated his success in a personal, first hand account. He was able to offer his story uninterrupted, and it was fun to hear these stories.
His tough as nails attitude is indicative of a classical mindset, rather than a more progressive attitude. Nonetheless it illuminated his success in a personal, first hand account. He was able to offer his story uninterrupted, and it was fun to hear these stories.
August 25, 2016
Nice to see in to a coaches mind.
July 17, 2013
I wanted to see if I would like him any better after reading his book. Not the case!
April 26, 2014
Book a bit all over the map, some bits repetitive. But, a great look at the methods and madness of one of the greatest basketball coaches of all time. He is exactly how he appears to be.
October 1, 2009
Good book especially if you like basketball
June 1, 2010
The book itself is interesting, but I'm not a fan of Geno.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews