Legendary UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma, 70, has paid heartfelt tribute to fellow coaching icon Doug Bruno, who announced his retirement from DePaul University after nearly four decades of service. Auriemma, who has shared the court and Olympic sidelines with Bruno, called the moment “bittersweet,” reflecting on both a professional loss for women’s basketball and a personal farewell to a long-time friend and colleague.
Bruno, 74, leaves behind a remarkable legacy, having racked up 786 wins across 39 seasons as head coach of the DePaul Blue Demons women’s basketball team. His departure marks the end of one of the longest tenures in NCAA history, with only 17 coaches surpassing his win total.
A Longstanding Friendship in the Coaching World
Geno Auriemma, whose own coaching resume includes 11 national titles with UConn and numerous Olympic gold medals, has known Bruno for decades. Their bond grew especially strong during their time coaching together for Team USA’s women’s basketball squad at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, where they helped lead the U.S. to gold medals.
Speaking during the March Madness media sessions, Auriemma offered a moving tribute to his friend:
“There haven’t been a lot of people in the history of women’s basketball that have given as much to the game as he has. He’s dedicated his life pretty much to women’s basketball, and all of it in Chicago where he grew up—so he’s an institution.”
Auriemma’s words came with genuine emotion, as he spoke not just as a fellow coach, but as someone who deeply values the role Bruno played in growing the game.
A Personal Farewell for Patty and Family
While much of the focus was understandably on Doug’s basketball achievements, Auriemma made a special point to mention Bruno’s wife, Patty, and their extended family.
“I’m happy for Patty, his wife, and his kids and grandkids because they will get to see more of him,” Auriemma said, acknowledging the sacrifices made by coaching families behind the scenes.
Bruno, known for his passion and relentless work ethic, rarely stepped away from basketball. His decision to retire followed a year away due to medical reasons, during which assistant coach Jill M. Pizzotti stepped in as interim head coach. The Blue Demons finished the season with a 13-19 record, battling through adversity in Bruno’s absence.
A Career That Changed the Game
Doug Bruno’s influence goes far beyond wins and losses. His impact has been felt across generations of players, coaches, and fans. Under his leadership, DePaul’s women’s team won 19 conference titles and made four Sweet 16 appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
In 2022, Bruno was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, a fitting capstone to a storied career. Yet even beyond DePaul, his contributions have been national in scope. Auriemma credited Bruno with being a mentor to countless young athletes:
“I don’t think there’s a kid in the Midwest—Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois—who doesn’t know someone that’s been to Doug Bruno’s basketball camp. He’s helped shape the lives of so many.”
Life Beyond Basketball
Doug Bruno’s career at DePaul began long before he became a household name in coaching. He first arrived at the university as a basketball scholarship recipient in 1968, offered by then-head coach Ray Meyer. Over the years, he served DePaul in various roles, from ticket manager to academic advisor, before eventually taking the reins of the women’s basketball program.
In his retirement statement, Bruno expressed deep gratitude for the university and its community:
“DePaul University has been my home for 44 years. I owe my professional athletic life to this place.”
He also praised Jill Pizzotti for stepping into the leadership role during his absence, commending her for guiding the team through challenging times.
“Jill’s leadership of our program has been exemplary,” Bruno said. “As has been the teamwork of our entire staff.”
Geno Auriemma’s Legacy Intertwined with Bruno’s
Though they competed fiercely as Big East rivals, Auriemma and Bruno’s bond was always defined by mutual respect. For Auriemma, Bruno’s departure signals a significant loss—not just to the DePaul program, but to the women’s basketball community as a whole.
“It’s sad for me personally because he’s a great friend and we’ve been through a lot together. It’s sad for women’s basketball that a lifelong supporter of the game isn’t going to be coaching anymore,” Auriemma shared.
Still, Auriemma expressed confidence that Bruno will remain a vocal supporter of the sport even in retirement. With a smile, he added that Bruno will now have more time to dedicate to his wife Patty, his children, and his grandchildren—a well-earned reward after decades of sacrifice and commitment.
Final Thoughts
As Doug Bruno steps away from the bench, the outpouring of tributes from colleagues like Geno Auriemma underscores just how much he has meant to the sport. From mentoring young players to championing women’s basketball at every level, Bruno’s contributions are immeasurable.
And as Auriemma reminded everyone in his touching remarks, behind every legendary coach is a supportive family. Now, Patty Bruno and their loved ones will get to share more quiet moments with a man who gave so much of himself to the game he loved.
A chapter closes for Doug Bruno, but his influence will live on in the thousands of players, coaches, and fans who were lucky enough to be part of his remarkable journey.
