Auriemma endorses Fernandez as ideal mentor for Bueckers
UConn head coach says Dallas Wings boss offers the calm and accountability required for the star point guard’s professional transition.
Geno Auriemma, the long-serving head coach of the UConn Huskies, has publicly endorsed Jose Fernandez as the optimal coach for star point guard Paige Bueckers. Speaking to The Athletic, Auriemma highlighted Fernandez’s calm sideline temperament and willingness to experiment with new strategies as key attributes that benefit Bueckers. This endorsement comes as Bueckers transitions from her college career at UConn to the professional ranks with the Dallas Wings, where Fernandez serves as head coach ahead of the 2026 WNBA season.
The two coaches share a history of competing against each other for numerous seasons in the Big East and American conferences. Auriemma noted that their relationship often involved socialising over wine, cigars, and steak. Despite their shared background, Auriemma believes Fernandez differs from himself in ways that suit Bueckers’ playing style.
“He thinks wide and wants to try new things, which is great for a player like Paige,” Auriemma told The Athletic. He added that Fernandez’s ability to remain calm on the sideline is a welcome relief for Bueckers, contrasting with his own more intense approach.
This dynamic follows a period of tension between Bueckers and Auriemma during her senior season at UConn, which was documented in an Apple TV docuseries. The series revealed that the pair spent portions of the season on non-speaking terms. Fernandez visited Storrs last November to seek advice from Auriemma on how to maximise Bueckers’ potential, gaining an up-close look at the former coach’s methods.
Ultimately, it was Bueckers who actively sought stringency and accountability from Fernandez during the hiring process. The pair met on a Zoom call and shared a pre-season meal at the USA Basketball training camp in North Carolina. Bueckers stated she wanted to be coached, held to a higher standard, and given brutal honesty.
Under Fernandez’s leadership, Bueckers is currently averaging nearly 21 points and six assists per game on a 57% effective field goal percentage. Although the Dallas Wings experienced a 1-5 start to the month, they have since reeled off three straight wins to clinch a playoff berth and secure their winningest season since relocating to Texas.
