New England Patriots Rumors: Aaron Hernandez Murder Investigation Case Stuns UConn's Geno Auriemma, Coached Tight End For AAU Basketball As Teenager

Jun 24, 2013 03:42 PM EDT

New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez is being investigated by police for his involvement and connection to the murder of Odin Lloyd and as all this is going on, the past of the tight end is being scrutinized and looked at by the media and fans of the NFL.

According to Courant.com, Hernandez previously played AAU basketball for UConn women's head coach Geno Auriemma, who spoke about the tight end during their time together. Hernandez is from Connecticut and although they have not had contact for a few years, Auriemma praised the tight end as player back when he was a teen, calling him easy to coach.

Hernandez has been embroiled in the conflict since last week and police have been searching his home and surrounding areas for any evidence. They were at his home for over three hours on Saturday and returned to the surrounding woods and pond areas on Monday. The crews took away evidence bags and Hernandez may be arrested for obstruction of justice. Hernandez reportedly destroyed his cell phone and home security deliberately and that could get him into hot water with authorities. Auriemma was asked about Hernandez and the situation.

The coach said that when he was a teen he was his mother and father around all the time and said that when he practiced and played he was a good kid and an easy one to coach. But he also added that he didn't know him like he knew his own son, who also played on the team. Auriemma said that he was shocked to see the revelations and that it is sad no matter the outcome.

"Aaron was easy to coach," Auriemma said Monday from his "Fore the Kids" charity golf tournament benefiting the Connecticut Children's Medical Center at Hartford Golf Club. "But then again, he was only 15, 16. He was easy to coach. His dad was around all the time. His mom was around all the time. His friends were the guys on the team. For me, he was easy, but then again, I didn't go home with him. I just saw him a couple hours when we practiced and I saw him on weekends when we had trips to go play, so it's not like I knew him like I knew my son or anything like that."

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