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Geno
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.
A rare look inside the soul of a true competitor, GENO is the story of how one passionate man overcame his own fears to achieve an extraordinary record of success.
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.
A rare look inside the soul of a true competitor, GENO is the story of how one passionate man overcame his own fears to achieve an extraordinary record of success.
- GenresBasketball
359 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2005
21 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 6, 2021
Enjoyed this book very much and the timing of reading it during March Madness was cool. Geno is one of the top college basketball coaches and he shares a bit about his childhood and the early days of coaching which was interesting. One of my favorite quotes was one he said to Rebecca Lobo,
“Be who you are. Don’t try to be more. Don’t let yourself be less.”
Good advice to all of us. Thanks.
“Be who you are. Don’t try to be more. Don’t let yourself be less.”
Good advice to all of us. Thanks.
April 29, 2020
This is one of my favorite books about basketball. I tend to not like the lessons on leadership sort of books. Geno talks about the circumstances he has had to navigate with different players and teams over the years. He's open and blunt. He has a reputation for being hard and demanding of his players, but he is also very hard on himself as he reflects on his years in coaching.
Some lines from the book:
Everybody who coaches young kids needs to remember that they need a lot of confidence from you. They pine for it. They have to have constant reassurance and reinforcement that, “Hey, I believe in you. I’m with you.” Even someone like Rebecca Lobo or Kerry Bascom needs that.
Auriemma, Geno. Geno (p. 44). Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Some lines from the book:
Everybody who coaches young kids needs to remember that they need a lot of confidence from you. They pine for it. They have to have constant reassurance and reinforcement that, “Hey, I believe in you. I’m with you.” Even someone like Rebecca Lobo or Kerry Bascom needs that.
Auriemma, Geno. Geno (p. 44). Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition.
January 9, 2025
It’s been a while since I devoured a book like this. Sure, I was biased coming in; I think Geno is great- but if you don’t I think you’ll still appreciate it. Is it still current? Absolutely. Reading the book after regularly watching UConn play in 2025 gives you an idea of how consistent this man’s passion, goals, and overarching approach are. I really hope we get a new book someday, because I want to hear more about the next 15 yrs.
February 10, 2022
Awesome book from the GOAT!
I really loved how personal and free Geno was in this book. He gave incredible insight in the life of being the head coach of the most prestigious women’s basketball team in the country. If you love Basketball this book is well worth your time and money.
I really loved how personal and free Geno was in this book. He gave incredible insight in the life of being the head coach of the most prestigious women’s basketball team in the country. If you love Basketball this book is well worth your time and money.
December 22, 2018
A behind the scenes view
A must read if you are a basketball fan! Geno is among the best coaches in women's basketball and possibly one of the most criticized. His success is unrivalled and this book provides examples of why.
A must read if you are a basketball fan! Geno is among the best coaches in women's basketball and possibly one of the most criticized. His success is unrivalled and this book provides examples of why.
March 27, 2018
Method to the madness
Great read on how this great coach leads....his own way!
Lessons on how to mange great talent for any current or future leader.
Great read on how this great coach leads....his own way!
Lessons on how to mange great talent for any current or future leader.
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February 9, 2014Great insight into Connecticut Women's Basketball.
Geno explains how he created a dominant basketball program from scratch at the University of Connecticut. Only goes through 2004.
Geno explains how he created a dominant basketball program from scratch at the University of Connecticut. Only goes through 2004.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews