NASHVILLE — With a few strands left to snip, Geno Auriemma was the last to climb the ladder.

He grabbed two strands of the net and cut. Then several more until there was nothing left. He was a pro. This was his ninth time taking down the nets, after all.

As he stepped off the ladder, he was swarmed and tackled by his players, who threw globs of confetti on him. They then carried their 60-year-old coach to the photographers and TV cameras while cheering his name.

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You couldn't wipe the smile off his face.

Connecticut beat Notre Dame 79-58 Tuesday night to win its ninth national championship, passing Pat Summitt's Tennessee teams for the record in women's basketball. In the days leading up to the title game, Auriemma downplayed breaking the record. Winning is important, but he doesn't like to get caught up in the numbers, he said. These titles aren't as much for him anymore as they are for the players.

"I've said this 100,000 times," he said Monday during his final news conference before the championship. "Wednesday morning when I wake up, win or lose, my life doesn't change one iota."

He gets more joy out of seeing the players' excitement. He told an anecdote about sophomore forward Breanna Stewart, who came to UConn to win four national titles. She's halfway through her college career now with two.

He also explained it was more significant for seniors Bria Hartley and Stefanie Dolson because they only have a limited number of times to win, whereas he will be coaching for a long time and will have more chances.

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"Ever since maybe like the second or third one, you know, after a while it's just like, yeah, it's great, but it's not ... because it's going to change my life," Auriemma said.

"At one time I did want to win championships because it was going to change my life, because I thought I wasn't getting paid enough. But now that I am, I really don't care."

As the final buzzer sounded and the floor of Bridgestone Arena was littered with blue, yellow and red confetti, Auriemma broke down.

"I'm probably one of the luckiest people in the coaching profession because I get to coach players like Stefanie and Bria," he said. Then the Hall of Fame coach took a long pause and struggled to compose himself.

"Yeah, I get to coach guys like that," he continued. "That's why we do what we do."

They weren't the only tears shed Tuesday night.

As seniors Dolson, who finished her career with a double-double of 17 points and 16 rebounds, and Hartley, who added 13 points, went to the bench, they hugged each coach and couldn't have hid their red eyes if they wanted to.

"It's overwhelming," Auriemma said. "Those two kids are two of the most unbelievable kids I've ever been around in my life. To see their faces when they walked off the court. I don't usually get this emotional, but this one got to me."

When Dolson and Hartley were freshmen in 2010, UConn was in the midst of its epic 90-game winning streak. Their first game was win No. 79 against Holy Cross, and their second was against Brittney Griner and Baylor. That was when Auriemma knew he had a special class on his hands.

"Ever since that day they played their very first game, I can't think of two people who gave given every ounce of energy and everything they have to give for the basketball program and University of Connecticut," he said.

"(Getting emotional) doesn't happen very often. So when they came off the floor, we all knew exactly what was coming to an end. Even when we have as great an ending as we had tonight, it's still coming to an end. It hit me really hard."

By the time Auriemma reached the postgame news conference, he had gathered himself and was more composed. But no matter what Auriemma says today, tomorrow or in the future, Dolson knows No. 9 was extra special.

"He always wants these championships for us, not himself," Dolson said. "He doesn't say it, but I definitely think it means a lot to him. It's something that's incredible and no one can say they have done it. And for him to have it, it's just pretty special."


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