Podcast Summary: Fudd Around and Find Out

Episode: "Geno Unplugged: A Fudd Around Exclusive"

Date: September 26, 2025
Host: Azzi Fudd
Guest: Coach Geno Auriemma
Special Appearance: Stephanie Dolson
Production: iHeart Women’s Sports & Unanimous Media

Episode Overview

This episode features a candid, energetic, and humorous conversation between UConn basketball star Azzi Fudd and her legendary coach, Geno Auriemma. Recorded at iHeart's Hartford studio, it's a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse into their dynamic, Geno’s reflections on the evolution of college basketball, the Name/Image/Likeness (NIL) era, team culture, and Azzi’s growth. The duo draft all-time UConn dream teams, run a lightning round of hot-seat questions, and welcome former Husky Stephanie Dolson, adding nostalgia and extra laughs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Welcoming Coach Geno (02:56-04:25)

• Azzi’s nerves and excitement at interviewing her coach set a relaxed, playful tone.
• Geno jokes about everyone having podcasts nowadays, recalling his own “pre-podcast” show with luminaries like Kobe Bryant and Tiger Woods.
  • Quote – Coach Geno (03:58): “Everybody has a podcast today. I’m actually, you know, talking to people that want me to have a podcast.”
  • Geno reminisces about his old local TV cooking show for a supermarket, clarifying, “I wasn’t doing the cooking. I was just there welcoming everybody – like you, just say ‘Welcome to our podcast’ and then everybody else does the work.”
• Coach or Geno? Azzi chooses “Coach” as the safest option, laughing at the perceived risks of being too informal.

2. Azzi’s Return to Campus & Geno’s First Impressions (05:21-06:15)

• Geno highlights the excitement at the start of a new season and Azzi’s consistency:
  • Quote – Coach Geno (05:57): “Azzi’s always been Azzi. You can count on her. She’s reliable. You’re not gonna get any surprises.”
• Growth and maturity are emphasized as desirable traits for returning players.

3. Recruitment Memories & First Encounters (06:15-08:16)

• Geno recalls seeing Azzi play as an eighth grader, noting her advanced skill and drawing big crowds, even as the youngest on the team.
  • Quote – Coach Geno (07:12): “I only had eyes for Az.”
• Azzi remembers being nervous before a St. John's open workout that Geno attended, highlighting the surreal, high-stakes feeling of recruitment.

4. Impact of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and The Changing Game (08:38-11:22)

• Geno discusses seismic changes in college basketball due to NIL, joking that Diana Taurasi would’ve changed schools every year for higher offers.
  • Quote – Coach Geno (09:39): “Now it’s, ‘How much you paying me? That’s where I’m going to school.’”
• The new landscape means players are often more motivated by earnings potential than loyalty to team, coaching staff, or university tradition.
• Geno supports players getting paid, but laments lost simplicity and joy.

5. The Fudd Family Dynamic (11:23-13:00)

• Geno describes Azzi’s family as “unique” and “exceptionally passionate,” noting how their nontraditional dynamic positively supports Azzi and fits the UConn culture.
  • Quote – Coach Geno (12:59): “You could hear their passion before you see it. Especially Papa.”

6. The "People’s Princess" & Coaching Azzi (13:27-17:50)

• Azzi shares that some online call her the “people’s princess”; Geno admits to contributing to that image. Geno confirms Azzi rarely gets yelled at: “As I said at the beginning...Az comes ready to go every single day.” (13:57)
• Geno wishes Azzi was more of a risk-taker, referencing her conservative game and decision-making style, and references her critical defensive risk in the Final Four as a sign of growth.
  • Quote – Coach Geno (14:41): "The biggest risk a person can take is not take a risk. That’s the next step for her, to be a risk-taker."
• Geno and Azzi both banter about decisiveness and taking more chances—on and off the court.

7. Cartoon Comparisons & Team Lightness (18:28-19:45)

• Azzi jokes that Geno is like the grandpa from “Up.” Geno returns the favor, calling Azzi a young Mary Poppins: “practically perfect in every way.”
  • Quote – Coach Geno (18:59): “Like a Mary Poppins kind of type...practically perfect in every way. That’s Azzi.”

8. UConn All-Time Dream Team Draft (23:16-26:29)

• Azzi and Geno draft their dream teams. Geno’s picks: Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Tina Charles, Swin Cash, Tamika Williams. Azzi’s picks: Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart (“Stewie”), Napheesa Collier (“Fee”), Paige Bueckers, and includes herself.
  • Quote – Coach Geno (25:02): "I just took the starting lineup of the greatest basketball team that ever stepped foot on the floor, which you and Paige were not on, by the way."
• They reflect on UConn’s deep history, joking about how amazing the unused talent pool is.

9. Lightning Round: Geno in the Hot Seat (27:10-34:09)

• Azzi asks rapid questions; highlights include:
  • Where the 2024-25 starters will be in 30 years: Geno jokes about Paige being at a home for “junior delinquents,” and Caitlyn Chen owning several of them.
    • Quote – Coach Geno (27:28): “Paige—some home for junior delinquents...maybe as a counselor, trying to teach kids, ‘Don’t be like I was.’”
  • Most famous person in Geno’s phone: “A former president. And a real famous golfer and basketball player.”
  • Geno discusses his lack of TikTok participation and his “signature shimmy”.
  • Retirement plans: Geno says, “Of course” he’ll retire but intends to stay in Connecticut and travel, not second-guess the next coach.

10. Modern-Day Coaching Challenges (34:09-35:46)

• Discussion on how parents’ unrealistic expectations complicate coaching.
  • Quote – Coach Geno (34:25): "Parents are so delusional...Every one of them thinks their kid is better than Maya, Stewie, Paige."
• Geno emphasizes keeping things in perspective and the importance of fun, community, and character over individual stats.

11. "What the FUD" of the Week (39:08-41:11)

• Azzi prompts Geno: Recall a play of hers that left him saying “What the fud?”
• Geno tells the story of drawing up a final-eight game-winning play for Azzi despite her “being 1 for 100” that game, surprising even his assistants—but it worked.
  • Quote – Coach Geno (40:22): “They thought I was going to draw it up for Paige and instead I drew it up for her...She knocks it in and the rest is history.”

12. Stephanie Dolson Drops In (41:21-45:45)

• Steph asks Geno: “Did you baby me in college because I cried so much?” Geno says no, praising her for consistency, positivity, and always being fully present.
  • Quote – Coach Geno (42:54): “Every single day, the loudest voice, the first voice, the most consistent voice, the happiest person, the most outgoing, the best teammate in the building was always Steph.”
• Steph reflects on Geno being softer with later generations and jokes about infamous tough practices of earlier UConn eras.

13. Final Reflections and Goodbyes (45:50-46:39)

• Azzi and Steph muse about how Geno and UConn have evolved.
• Azzi thanks guests and listeners, her signature upbeat, grateful tone closing out a playful yet deep show.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Geno on NIL:
  “It’s kind of not as much fun now, but I’m all for it. I’m all for the kids getting paid.” (10:06)
• Geno on Azzi’s Reliability:
  “You can count on her. You’re not gonna get any surprises.” (06:01)
• Geno on The Fudd Family:
  “They’re different. They are different...exceptionally passionate.” (12:38–13:00)
• Azzi on Team Dream Draft:
  “I’m gonna go with me.” (26:14)
• Geno on Coaching Evolution:
  “I think as time’s gone on ... he definitely is a lot nicer to you guys than he was to us.” – Stephanie Dolson (45:22)
• Geno’s “What the Fud” Coaching Call:
  “I drew it up for her ... and she knocks it in and the rest is history.” (40:22)
• Geno on Perspective & Parental Expectations:
  “Parents are so delusional...Every one of them thinks their kid is like, better than Maya, better than Stewie, better than Paige.” (34:25)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• (02:56-04:25): Opening banter, Geno’s media and cooking show history
• (05:21-06:15): Azzi’s return to UConn and team vibes
• (08:38-11:22): NIL’s impact on recruiting and college ball
• (13:27-17:50): Coaching Azzi, the “people’s princess,” and risk-taking
• (23:16-26:29): UConn Dream Team Draft
• (27:10-34:09): Lightning Round with Coach Geno
• (39:08-41:11): “What the FUD” of the week: the Final Eight play
• (41:21-45:45): Stephanie Dolson guest segment

Tone & Takeaways

This episode blends honesty, mentorship, nostalgia, and humor. Azzi’s warmth and Geno’s candid, wry wisdom make for an entertaining yet instructive listen for fans, athletes, and anyone curious about life at the elite level of college basketball. The chemistry throughout, especially during games and hot-seat rounds, showcases the deep respect and affection between player and coach, as well as what makes the UConn program special across generations.

[Summary by Podcast Summarizer AI, 2025 Review.]